This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6311941.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Fatah and Hamas 'agree ceasefire' Fatah and Hamas agree ceasefire
(30 minutes 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 in the Hamas government, 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 and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah has left more than 30 people dead in recent 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.
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. 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 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.Both sides have agreed that militants should release hostages taken recently, Mr Zahar said.
Saudi invitationSaudi invitation
Egyptian diplomats brokered the deal after days of mediation.Egyptian diplomats brokered the deal after days of mediation.
There has been no word on the ceasefire as yet from Fatah. All clashes must stop and armed men must withdraw immediately from the streets Mahmoud ZaharForeign minister class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6300317.stm">Life under Hamas a rough ride
The clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm, and explosions and gunfire continued to be heard throughout Monday. 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.
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.