BBC NEWS | Middle East | Palestinian groups call new truce

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Palestinian groups call new truce: "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced a new ceasefire deal between his Fatah faction and the Hamas group that aims to stop fighting in Gaza.

The move comes after a week of escalating violence which has brought the territory to a standstill.

News of the breakthrough followed a day of street battles in which at least five people were killed and more hurt.

Schools were closed after five children were among the injured. A truce agreed on Sunday failed within 24 hours.

Mr Abbas told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah that the latest ceasefire would come into effect at 2300 local time (2100 GMT).

'We hope all will abide by this agreement,' he said.

Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, have been invited to Jordan by King Abdullah for talks.

King Abdullah said his country would do all it could 'to help the Palestinians overcome their differences'." Read complete post here.