GAZA, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Leaders of the rival movements, ruling Fatah movement and radical Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), announced early Wednesday an end to the fighting gunbattles between the two movements' militants.

    Fatah leader Sufian Abu Zaida, who is also the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, and senior Hamas leader in northern Gaza Strip Sheikh Nizar Rayan made the announcement in a joint press conference in Gaza City.

    The fighting erupted between PNA security officers and militants of Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades last Thursday and Friday, killing three and injuring more than 25. It renewed on Tuesday between Hamas and Fatah militants, injuring 15 people.

    Abu Zayda told the reporters that "we are very pleased to inform you that an agreement has been reached between the two movements toend all kinds of violent confrontations as well as removing all phenomena of arms in the streets."

    "Both movements reached the agreement one hour ago, and me and Doctor Nizar Rayan toured the northern area of the Gaza Strip, and

    we found an amazing commitment by both sides to our agreement," said Abu Zayda.

    Rayan said that "I repeat what my brother Sofian said. We had met in good moods and good atmosphere, and we put together points for this agreement, which is ending immediately fighting and removing all phenomena of arms."

    He added that commanders of the two movements' militants were immediately contacted and they had warmly welcomed the agreement "and started immediately implementing it."

    However, both Abu Zaida and Rayan didn't mention any agreement on stopping firing homemade mortar shells and rockets at Israel andat Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.

    Israel has threatened that it would move its army forces deep into the Gaza Strip to prevent firing rockets at Israel and Israeli settlements that caused the death of an Israeli woman and more than 15 Israelis injured.

    Earlier Tuesday, leaders from Hamas movement and officials in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) argued on an agreement Palestinian political parties and militant groups had reached in Cairo in March on halting attacks on Israel.

    Hamas claims that Cairo agreement gives the militant groups the right to retaliate if Israel carries out any military action against the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

    PNA officials insist that the question of retaliation was mentioned in Cairo agreement, but the retaliation could be only decided by the parties signed on the agreement and not one party oranother.

    Disputes between Hamas and the PNA happened only four weeks before the Israeli government implements its unilateral disengagement plan with the Palestinians and evacuate its settlements from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. Enditem