Internal Palestinian Violence on the Rise.

RAMALLAH, West Bank - The number of Palestinians slain in vigilante killings and other internal violence has nearly quadrupled in four years, from 43 in 2002 to 151 so far in 2005, according to statistics presented Thursday.

A top security official said more Palestinians were killed in internal violence this year than by Israeli troops.

The descent into lawlessness is hurting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas politically at a time when he is trying to beat back a tough challenge by Islamic militant rivals.

Just another day of Palestinian politics as usual.