NABLUS, West Bank, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Masked Palestinian gunmen killed a Hamas militant in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the governing Islamist group said, in the latest in a string of killings that have triggered fears of civil war.

A power struggle between the Hamas government and President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah faction once dominated Palestinian politics, has sparked fighting this month between gunmen from both sides in which 19 people have been killed.

Hamas said in a statement Amar Taher, 42, was "martyred" in his home town of Nablus, with its use of the word making clear the group considered his killing to be politically motivated rather than criminal.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting. Fatah denied involvement.

Within hours hundreds of Hamas supporters flocked to the morgue where Taher's body was being held, chanting slogans against Fatah.

"Dahlan, you traitor," they shouted, referring to Mohammed Dahlan, a Fatah strongman and former Palestinian official.

Hamas, which has spearheaded a 6-year-old uprising against Israel, ousted Fatah from government in Palestinian elections in January.

Western donor nations suspended funding to the Palestinian Authority, demanding Hamas recognise Israel and renounce violence. Hamas has rejected the demands.

This has deepened an economic crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.

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