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Fatah and Hamas 'agree ceasefire' Fatah and Hamas 'agree ceasefire'
(about 1 hour later)
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal, a senior Hamas official has said.Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal, a senior Hamas official has said.
Mahmoud Zahar, who is foreign minister, said the ceasefire would come into effect from 0300 local time (0100 GMT).Mahmoud Zahar, who is foreign minister, said the ceasefire would come into effect from 0300 local time (0100 GMT).
Fighting between militants linked to Hamas, the ruling party, and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah has left more than 30 people dead in the past few days.Fighting between militants linked to Hamas, the ruling party, and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah has left more than 30 people dead in the past few days.
It is the worst violence since Hamas came to power in 2006. Attempts to form a unity government have so far failed.It is the worst violence since Hamas came to power in 2006. Attempts to form a unity government have so far failed.
Mr Zahar made the announcement after talks between Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas and a senior aide to Mr Abbas in the Gaza Strip.Mr Zahar made the announcement after talks between Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas and a senior aide to Mr Abbas in the Gaza Strip.
He said the two sides had agreed to take all gunmen off the streets of Gaza and remove checkpoints that had sprung up in many places.He said the two sides had agreed to take all gunmen off the streets of Gaza and remove checkpoints that had sprung up in many places.
Both sides have agreed that militants should release hostages taken recently, Mr Zahar said.
Saudi invitation
Egyptian diplomats brokered the deal after days of mediation.
There has been no word on the ceasefire as yet from Fatah.There has been no word on the ceasefire as yet from Fatah.
The clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm, and explosions and gunfire continued to be heard throughout Monday.
The two factions had been making renewed efforts to form a national unity government to satisfy the demands of international donors.
Both sides have blamed the other for the outbreak of violence.
On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah invited leaders from the rival factions to meet in Mecca to seek a solution to the wave of fighting.
In an open letter, the king described the violence as a "disgrace" and urged leaders to make "dialogue prevail over the language of arms".
Hamas and Fatah have accepted the invitation but no date has been set for the meeting.