In a bid to abide by the latest ceasefire, gunmen from rival Palestinian factions are withdrawing from streets in Gaza City, where fighting has killed 28 people since Thursday. Reports from Gaza say after fighting earlier in the day, Hamas and Fatah fighters have been releasing hostages. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, leaders from both sides will hold talks this week.

Palestinian holds a poster of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during a rally calling for an end to the internal fighting, in the West Bank city of Hebron, 3 Feb 2007

The clashes defied a ceasefire reached Saturday, which aimed to halt the slide toward a Palestinian civil war.

More than 80 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting since December, when talks on a national unity government collapsed and Mr. Abbas called for early elections. Hamas has been crippled by international sanctions because of its refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel.

President Abbas wants to form a more moderate government, which would be acceptable to the international community and restore the flow of vital aid.

Mr. Abbas will meet with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal on Tuesday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in a bid to end the fighting and resume coalition talks.

But Palestinian analyst Wadia Abu Nasser says there is little chance of bridging the gaps.

"I believe that, even if a solution will be reached, it will be a temporary solution because Fatah and Hamas, they have contradictory interests," he said.

Mr. Abbas hopes to achieve Palestinian statehood through internationally-backed peace talks with Israel, while Hamas seeks the destruction of Israel by force.