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Gaza crisis prompts security push Gaza factions 'agree new truce'
(about 5 hours later)
The Palestinian Authority has mobilised all of its security forces in an attempt to end a fierce upsurge in factional fighting in the Gaza Strip. Rival Palestinian factions are reported to have agreed a truce to end fierce fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Information Minister Mustapha Barghouti urged members of rival factions Hamas and Fatah to unite behind the effort but gun battles have continued all day. Hamas and Fatah made a deal after two days of bitter street violence, government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said.
Mr Barghouti said that Prime Minister Ismail Haniya would be taking personal control of security in Gaza. He said the groups had agreed to remove armed men, take down street checkpoints and exchange hostages. However, past agreements have failed to hold.
Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi resigned earlier in the day. Eight people have died since Sunday and 30 others have been hurt in the worst outbreak of violence in several months.
Fighting between gunmen loyal to Mr Haniya's Hamas movement and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah broke out on Sunday. The Palestinian Authority mobilised all of its security forces in an attempt to end the street battles.
Eight people have been killed and nearly 30 injured since then. The two days of violence are the worst since Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a unity government in February. Egyptian mediators were said to have negotiated a deal on Sunday night, but Monday brought renewed fighting.
The government is asking all factions, Hamas and Fatah in particular, to support the government in this and not create any obstacles to this effort Mustapha BarghoutiInformation minister Gaza City viewpoint Hebron - a 'ghost town' Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi resigned on Monday amid the violence, prompting Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya to take personal control of security in Gaza.
But Mr Hamad said the rival groups agreed a truce after a meeting late on Monday night.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah in the West Bank says it will be a difficult task for any politician to control all the disparate security forces and Palestinians fear this round of violence has not yet run its course.The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah in the West Bank says it will be a difficult task for any politician to control all the disparate security forces and Palestinians fear this round of violence has not yet run its course.
Plea for supportPlea for support
Mr Barghouti asked for the co-operation of the rival factions in the new security measures. Earlier, Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti asked for the co-operation of the rival factions in the new security measures.
The government is asking all factions, Hamas and Fatah in particular, to support the government in this and not create any obstacles to this effort Mustapha BarghoutiInformation minister Gaza City viewpoint Hebron - a 'ghost town'
"The government decided today to deploy immediately security forces under control of the joint operation room and under the control of Prime Minister Ismail Haniya," he said."The government decided today to deploy immediately security forces under control of the joint operation room and under the control of Prime Minister Ismail Haniya," he said.
"The government is asking all factions, Hamas and Fatah in particular, to support the government in this and not create any obstacles to this effort." I am ashamed as a Palestinian this morning to see the continuation of such chaos Saeb Erekat class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6653195.stm">Pleas for BBC reporter "The government is asking all factions, Hamas and Fatah in particular, to support the government in this and not create any obstacles to this effort."
Mr Qawasmi had offered to resign last month in protest at worsening security, but was persuaded to stay on. Hani Qawasmi, an independent, had offered to resign last month in protest at worsening security, but was persuaded to stay on.
An independent, he was given the key post after months of wrangling.
However, he is reported to have faced competition from powerful Fatah rivals for control of armed factions.However, he is reported to have faced competition from powerful Fatah rivals for control of armed factions.
A Hamas government spokesman said Mr Qawasmi resigned because he had not been informed of a security deployment last week billed as an attempt to quell the unrest. 'Despicable scenes' 'Despicable scenes'
Sunday's violence - with five dead and 18 injured - was the worst in a single day since February.Sunday's violence - with five dead and 18 injured - was the worst in a single day since February.
I am ashamed as a Palestinian this morning to see the continuation of such chaos Saeb Erekat Pleas for BBC reporter
Egyptian mediators brokered a deal to get armed men off the streets and have hostages released, but fighting erupted again within hours.
Three people were killed and at least 10 wounded as rival factions exchanged fire on Monday morning.Three people were killed and at least 10 wounded as rival factions exchanged fire on Monday morning.
Up to 400 people have died in clashes between the two factions since the militant Hamas movement won last year's parliamentary elections.Up to 400 people have died in clashes between the two factions since the militant Hamas movement won last year's parliamentary elections.
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat described the violence, together with the abduction of BBC journalist Alan Johnston nine weeks ago, as "despicable scenes".Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat described the violence, together with the abduction of BBC journalist Alan Johnston nine weeks ago, as "despicable scenes".
"I am ashamed as a Palestinian this morning to see the continuation of such chaos. If the government cannot deliver on this one authority, one gun, the rule of law, I believe there is no purpose to have a government," he told the BBC."I am ashamed as a Palestinian this morning to see the continuation of such chaos. If the government cannot deliver on this one authority, one gun, the rule of law, I believe there is no purpose to have a government," he told the BBC.
Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the strip has seen a wave of infighting, armed robberies, deadly family feuds and kidnappings.Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the strip has seen a wave of infighting, armed robberies, deadly family feuds and kidnappings.