17 die as Gaza clashes continue
IBRAHIM BARZAK IN GAZA
Last updated: 03-Feb-07 00:19 GMT
SEVENTEEN people, four of them children, were killed yesterday in fresh fighting between Fatah and Hamas factions in the Gaza strip.
Fatah fighters stormed a Hamas-affiliated university, setting buildings on fire and dealing a blow to Hamas prestige.
With 24 people killed and 245 hurt since Thursday afternoon, Gazans huddled in their homes to escape the crossfire. Hospitals said they were running out of blood to treat the wounded.
Hamas and Fatah leaders said yesterday they had agreed in principle to a ceasefire, but needed more meetings to organise the pullback of forces, who were battling with mortar shells, rockets and heavy guns. The deal was announced after a meeting at the Egyptian embassy.
"We, the leaders of the two groups, agreed with God's help on a ceasefire," said Nizar Rayan, a regional Hamas leader.
"The measures that will be taken on the ground will be discussed in the next few hours."
A Fatah spokesman, Abdel Hakim Awad, confirmed agreement was reached in principle.
More than 100 Palestinians have died in internal violence since Hamas won elections last year and formed a cabinet.
In the wake of the election, Hamas established its own militia, as a counterweight to the security forces controlled by the president, Mahmoud Abbas.
In another effort to end the fighting, Mr Abbas is to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks with Hamas's supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal, on forming a national unity government.
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