Militants agree to end violence

The U.S. agreed to support a humanitarian aid program for Palestinians.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Militants linked to Hamas and Fatah have agreed to work together to end the internal violence that has plagued Gaza, the Palestinian prime minister said today, after two days of gun battles between the rival groups.
Nine Palestinians, including five children on their way to school, were wounded in a gunfight in Gaza City. Each side blamed the other for triggering it.
Then, Hamas militants attacked the funeral procession in southern Gaza for a Fatah gunman killed Monday, setting off two bombs and opening fire. Fatah gunmen dropped to the ground and returned fire. Three bystanders were wounded, hospital officials said.
Talks
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh summoned Hamas and Fatah leaders to his Gaza City office for talks that ended early today. Haniyeh, flanked by Fatah activists, told reporters that the two sides agreed to put a stop to the violent clashes.
Haniyeh said the they agreed that "dialogue is the only language to solve our differences." Ahmed Helas, a Fatah leader, read a joint statement with a pledge to work out problems peacefully and expel any member who uses weapons illegally.
The fighting broke out hours before the United States agreed to support a new program to temporarily funnel additional humanitarian aid directly to the Palestinian people. A statement by Mideast peacemakers did not say how much or what kind of aid they would provide.
"The thrust of this is the international community is still trying to respond to the needs of the Palestinian people," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.
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