Hamas, Fatah agree to ceasefire

GAZA City – A ceasefire started taking hold in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after five days of intense Hamas-Fatah fighting that left 34 people dead.

However, previous truce deals struck in recent weeks of factional clashes quickly collapsed, and it appeared unlikely the two sides would comply with all the terms of the current agreement, such as handing over all those involved in killings and abductions. In the past, Hamas and Fatah gunmen used periods of lull to prepare for the next round of fighting.The shaky truce deal, struck by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Rauhi Fattouh, an envoy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, came as a two-month ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians was being jeopardised by a Palestinian suicide bombing, the first since April.The bomber, a 21-year-old from Gaza, struck the Israeli resort city of Eilat on the Red Sea on Monday, killing three people and himself.Hamas, which controls the Palestinian parliament and cabinet, praised the attack as legitimate resistance, and Israeli leaders hinted that a military response was being considered.Early yesterday, Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel dug by Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel border.The Israeli military said the tunnel was meant for use by militants for an attack against Israel.No casualties were reported.In Gaza City, gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the night, but the shooting stopped at about 05:00, several hours after the ceasefire deal was struck.Foreign minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas said the agreement stipulates that all security forces return to their bases, that suspects in killings are to be handed over, and that all hostages still being held – a number thought to be in the dozens – are to be released.He also said all roadblocks set up by the factions are to be removed.Nampa-APIn the past, Hamas and Fatah gunmen used periods of lull to prepare for the next round of fighting.The shaky truce deal, struck by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Rauhi Fattouh, an envoy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, came as a two-month ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians was being jeopardised by a Palestinian suicide bombing, the first since April.The bomber, a 21-year-old from Gaza, struck the Israeli resort city of Eilat on the Red Sea on Monday, killing three people and himself.Hamas, which controls the Palestinian parliament and cabinet, praised the attack as legitimate resistance, and Israeli leaders hinted that a military response was being considered.Early yesterday, Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel dug by Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel border.The Israeli military said the tunnel was meant for use by militants for an attack against Israel.No casualties were reported.In Gaza City, gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the night, but the shooting stopped at about 05:00, several hours after the ceasefire deal was struck.Foreign minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas said the agreement stipulates that all security forces return to their bases, that suspects in killings are to be handed over, and that all hostages still being held – a number thought to be in the dozens – are to be released.He also said all roadblocks set up by the factions are to be removed.Nampa-AP