Hamas announces unilateral ceasefire in Gaza

Hamas announced it would begin observing a unilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip starting at 6pm BST today, after a day of heavy fighting that left at least 16 people dead.

The call was echoed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, who also called on all warring factions to cease their fire.

Ceasefires were also announced on Monday and yesterday, but neither of them held.

“We will abide by an immediate unilateral cease-fire starting at 8pm (local time),” said Khalil al-Haya, a Hamas representative in Gaza. “We announce that we are ready to immediately sit with our brothers ... to stop the deterioration.”

His statement was carried on Hamas radio and TV in Gaza.

Four days of Palestinian infighting in the coastal strip have killed 41 people.