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Palestinian PM urges calm in Gaza Palestinian chiefs urge Gaza calm
(about 3 hours later)
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya has urged an end to in-fighting after days of clashes between his Hamas faction and the rival Fatah group. The rival Palestinian leaders, Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas, have appealed for calm after another day of clashes.
In a move which may ease tensions, Mr Haniya said all Palestinians would "remain united" in a common cause. Violence has flared since Mr Abbas on Saturday called for new elections, a move Hamas branded a "coup".
Violence has flared since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday called for new elections, a move the Hamas-led government branded a "coup". But top officials from the two factions are reported to have agreed to renew a two-day old truce agreement.
Mr Abbas has called for all factions to respect a truce agreed on Sunday. The apparent breakthrough came after Mr Haniya said the Palestinian cause would not be derailed by in-fighting.
In a televised address in Gaza City, Mr Haniya said the Palestinian cause would "not be derailed by internal struggles" in the face of the Israeli occupation. However the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Gaza says it is not yet known if the new truce will hold.
"The smallest drop of Palestinian blood is dear to us and it should not be spilled except to defend our land. We are all aboard the same boat," he said. Abbas blamed
Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other Suleiman TumanPalestinian shopkeeper href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6191319.stm" class="">Lethal tensions href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6192833.stm" class="">Gaza clashes in pictures href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6194517.stm" class="">Palestinian viewpoints Mr Haniya repeated his opposition to Mr Abbas' call for early elections, on the grounds it was "unconstitutional". In a televised address in Gaza City on Tuesday, Mr Haniya said Palestinians would "remain united" in the face of the Israeli occupation.
He also reiterated an appeal for a long-term truce with Israel and the formation of a temporary Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state. Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other Suleiman TumanPalestinian shopkeeper href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6191319.stm" class="">Lethal tensions href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6192833.stm" class="">Gaza clashes in pictures href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6194517.stm" class="">Palestinian viewpoints "The smallest drop of Palestinian blood is dear to us and it should not be spilled except to defend our land. We are all aboard the same boat," he said.
The Palestinian prime minister blamed Mr Abbas for contributing to the economic and political isolation of the Hamas government - and accused the US of being behind efforts to topple it. But at the same time, Mr Haniya repeated his opposition to Mr Abbas' call for early elections, on the grounds it was "unconstitutional".
Mr Haniya's speech followed a day of street battles in which at least five people were killed and more injured. He said he blamed Mr Abbas, and the US government in particular, for undermining efforts to form a unity government.
Mr Haniya also reiterated an appeal for a long-term truce with Israel and the formation of a temporary Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state.
Mr Abbas had earlier called for all factions to respect a truce agreed on Sunday.
Masked Hamas gunmen set up makeshift roadblocks in Gaza City
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Abbas called on "all, without exception, to adhere to a ceasefire and to end the killings and all other operations in order to maintain our national unity".
As night fell, gunfire could still be heard on the streets of Gaza City.
Although there are reports of a new truce after mediation by Egyptian security officials, our correspondent says an earlier ceasefire agreement had little impact.
News of the apparent breakthrough followed a day of street battles in which at least five people were killed and more injured.
Schools were closed after at least five children were among those hurt.Schools were closed after at least five children were among those hurt.
In Tuesday's violence:In Tuesday's violence:
  • An attempt to take an injured Fatah militant to a Gaza hospital sparked a battle between Fatah intelligence officers and Hamas militiamen. One Hamas fighter was killed and several injured
  • An attempt to take an injured Fatah militant to a Gaza hospital sparked a battle between Fatah intelligence officers and Hamas militiamen. One Hamas fighter was killed and several injured
  • In an apparent revenge attack, the headquarters of the pro-Fatah intelligence service near Gaza City came under mortar fire
    		•
  • There was a tense stand-off between Hamas militants and forces loyal to Mr Abbas at the headquarters of the pro-Fatah intelligence service near Gaza City
  • A convoy of pro-Fatah militants was ambushed in Gaza City. Two Fatah militants were killed and nine bystanders injured, including five children, medical sources said.
  • A convoy of pro-Fatah militants was ambushed in Gaza City. Two Fatah militants were killed and nine bystanders injured, including five children, medical sources said.
    • There has been unrest since Mr Abbas - who heads Fatah - called for early elections, sparking fears of a descent into full civil war.
    Masked Hamas gunmen set up makeshift roadblocks in Gaza City
    In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Abbas called on "all, without exception, to adhere to a ceasefire and to end the killings and all other operations in order to maintain our national unity".
    Gaza shopkeeper Suleiman Tuman, who witnessed some of the latest violence, told the Associated Press news agency: "I've been praying to God that this is going to end.Gaza shopkeeper Suleiman Tuman, who witnessed some of the latest violence, told the Associated Press news agency: "I've been praying to God that this is going to end.
    "Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other.""Both sides used to fight the Israelis together. Now they are directing their weapons toward each other."
    Jordan's King Abdullah has offered to host talks between Mr Haniya and Mr Abbas.
    He said his country would do all it could "to help the Palestinians overcome their differences".
    Factional rivalryFactional rivalry
    Jordan's King Abdullah has offered to host talks between Mr Haniya and Mr Abbas.
    GROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas suggests early polls. Hamas denounces the idea11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard. Hamas blames Fatah16 Dec - Mr Abbas says he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called after street battles between Hamas and Fatah but violence continues Q&A: Palestinian crisis He said his country would do all it could "to help the Palestinians overcome their differences".
    While Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency, Hamas, which won elections in January, runs the government.While Fatah, through Mahmoud Abbas, controls the presidency, Hamas, which won elections in January, runs the government.
    GROWING TENSIONS 9 Dec - Mr Abbas suggests early polls. Hamas denounces the idea11 Dec - Three sons of a Fatah security chief are shot on their way to school14 Dec - Hamas PM Ismail Haniya's convoy comes under fire as he returns from Egypt, killing a bodyguard. Hamas blames Fatah16 Dec - Mr Abbas says he will call early elections; Hamas calls the move a "coup"17 Dec - A truce is called after street battles between Hamas and Fatah but violence continues Q&A: Palestinian crisis
    Fighting between the factions has paralysed Hamas' administration, which has also been crippled by an international embargo against it.Fighting between the factions has paralysed Hamas' administration, which has also been crippled by an international embargo against it.
    Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel - a crucial demand of the international community.Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognise Israel - a crucial demand of the international community.
    Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.Fatah believes that ending anti-Israel attacks is the key to forcing Israel into negotiations on an independent Palestinian statehood.
    Increased poverty and months of Israeli operations have polarised Palestinian factional rivalry further, correspondents say.Increased poverty and months of Israeli operations have polarised Palestinian factional rivalry further, correspondents say.