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Gaza ceasefire comes into force Gaza ceasefire comes into force
(30 minutes later)
A ceasefire has begun in Gaza after several days of fierce fighting between the two main Palestinian factions - Hamas and Fatah.A ceasefire has begun in Gaza after several days of fierce fighting between the two main Palestinian factions - Hamas and Fatah.
The truce came into effect at 0300 local time (0100 GMT), after being announced by Mahmoud Zahar, foreign minister in the Hamas government.The truce came into effect at 0300 local time (0100 GMT), after being announced by Mahmoud Zahar, foreign minister in the Hamas government.
Fighting between the two rival groups has left more than 30 people dead in recent days.Fighting between the two rival groups has left more than 30 people dead in recent days.
It is the worst violence since Hamas came to power in 2006.It is the worst violence since Hamas came to power in 2006.
Attempts to form a unity government have so far failed.Attempts to form a unity government have so far failed.
Mr Zahar made the announcement flanked by Fatah representatives after talks between Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas and a senior aide to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah in the Gaza Strip.Mr Zahar made the announcement flanked by Fatah representatives after talks between Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas and a senior aide to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah 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.Both sides have agreed that militants should release hostages taken recently, Mr Zahar said.
The talks came as Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border. One hour after the talks, Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border.
The Israeli military said the raid was to prevent an attack being carried out, but it came just a day after a suicide bomber killed three people in the resort of Eilat. The Israeli military said the raid was to prevent an attack on Israel by Palestinian militants, but it came just a day after a suicide bomber killed three people in the resort of Eilat.
Saudi invitationSaudi invitation
Egyptian diplomats brokered the deal after days of mediation. Egyptian diplomats brokered the Hamas-Fatah deal after days of mediation.
All clashes must stop and armed men must withdraw immediately from the streets Mahmoud ZaharForeign minister Life under Hamas a rough rideAll clashes must stop and armed men must withdraw immediately from the streets Mahmoud ZaharForeign minister Life under Hamas a rough ride
The clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm.The clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm.
A similar deal was reached a few days ago, but the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says that Monday's truce has a better chance of sticking as fighting has been less intense in the last 48 hours.A similar deal was reached a few days ago, but the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says that Monday's truce has a better chance of sticking as fighting has been less intense in the last 48 hours.
The two factions had been making renewed efforts to form a national unity government to satisfy the demands of international donors.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.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.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".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.Hamas and Fatah have accepted the invitation but no date has been set for the meeting.