Rival Palestinian security forces have begunwithdrawing from parts of Gaza City under a ceasfire deal on Tuesday, security sources and witnesses said.
It was unclear whether the ceasefire would hold. Minutes after it took effect, Gaza City residents reported an exchange of fire between gunmen.
Earlier, President Mahmoud Abbas said a deal was reached between his Fatah faction and Hamas to halt fierce clashes in the Gaza Strip in which six fighters were killed.
"We bless and support this agreement. After one hour, it will take effect," Mr Abbas told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "We hope all will abide by this agreement."
A member of the Palestinian security force loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas takes up a position during clashes with Hamas militants in Gaza Photo: Reuters
Hamas and Fatah security chiefs earlier appeared side by side in Gaza City to declare that Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas had agreed to withdraw their forces from the streets starting tonight.
A previous ceasefire deal broke down within 24 hours and it was unclear whether this one would hold.
Today's death toll was the highest since internal fighting intensified over the weekend. Four of the six were killed in street battles.
The bodies of two of Abbas's security men were found dead hours after their abduction, hospital officials said.
Concerned events were spinning out of control, Western and Arab nations urged a halt to the fighting.
The internal violence, the worst in a decade, has escalated since Mr Abbas called for early elections on Saturday to try to break a political deadlock with the Hamas government. Hamas has described his move as a "coup".
A senior Abbas aide said the president planned to issue a decree next week calling for the early elections.
Mr Haniyeh reiterated in a speech broadcast live on television that the movement rejected Mr Abbas's election call and accused the United States of spearheading efforts to bring down his government. Hamas has said it would boycott any polls.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the violence had to stop."We hope that there will in fact be a ceasefire between the parties. That is very important," Ms Rice said in an interview with Al Arabiya television.
Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia urged Palestinians to overcome their differences.