Hamas militiamen have detained at least 15 members of their rival Palestinian faction, Fatah, during raids in Gaza, officials and witnesses say.

Scuffles broke out in Beit Hanoun when the Hamas men moved in. Fatah members are reported to have been injured.

Television footage showed Hamas militiamen raiding a wedding party.

It was one of the biggest sweeps targeting Fatah since Hamas took control of Gaza in June. Hamas says the detainees had violated public security.

A Fatah spokesman described the raids as criminal acts.

The detentions followed a report, denied by Fatah, that it had sent undercover forces to Gaza in an attempt to overthrow Hamas.

The Islamist group's takeover in Gaza has left the Palestinian territories under the control of rival factions.

Israel and the international community has backed Palestinian Authority President and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, whose group controls the West Bank, while increasing the isolation of Hamas and completely cutting off Gaza and its 1.5 million residents.

Hamas is regarded as a terrorist organization by the US, EU and Israel, which refuses to deal with it directly until it recognizes Israel and renounces violence.

PHOTO CAPTION

Member of Hamas's Executive Force