The leading bloc of Islamic nations is in a state of "hopelessness" over the fighting in Gaza, top officials said in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Malaysia, the chair of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), called on both Hamas and Fatah to find a solution to the crisis in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas said it has seized control after fierce fighting.

"The OIC is in a state of hopelessness," said Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar. "The OIC has limits to what it can do just like the UN has its limits. Internal dynamics must be able to resolve these issues."

He said the power struggle endangered prospects of a future Palestinian state and could be taken advantage of by Israel.

"It is a good weapon for Israel and those who say there is no need to implement the peace plan," he said. "Israel will continue its ways and our ambition to create a Palestinian state will not be achieved."

Government sacked

Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip early Friday hours after Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas sacked the government and declared a state of emergency.

The takeover effectively split the Palestinians into two, with Hamas - considered a terror outfit by the EU, Israel and the United States - in charge of the Gaza Strip and Fatah retaining control over the West Bank.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the fighting had to be stopped.

"There is a need to resolve, to reason and to self-restrain," Ihsanoglu told reporters after a meeting with Syed Hamid. He said the IOC might convene and emergency meeting to address the crisis.