Fatah and Hamas gunmen battled each other at universities, a radio station and in streets across the Gaza Strip today with 17 people – including four children - dying before the factions’ leaders announced a cease-fire agreement.

The Palestinian prime minister had trouble securing a parliamentary majority for his proposed Cabinet today, despite promises that he would replace corruption-tainted politicians.

Yasser Arafat installed a seven-member emergency cabinet with Ahmed Qureia as prime minister, in an apparent move to deflect possible Israeli action against him following a suicide bombing a day earlier.