Gaza, May 14, SPA -- Hamas and Fatah began observing a cease-fire early Monday, officials from both sides said. "In order to maintain national unity and preserve Palestinian blood, Hamas and Fatah leaders met and agreed to end the fighting and remove the checkpoints," Ayman Taha, a Hamas official, said. Under the agreement, gunmen from the two factions were ordered off the streets and any hostages being held were to be released, CNN reported. The truce, brokered by Egyptian mediators, Taha said, was to begin at 1 a.m. (6 p.m. Sunday ET).--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/449501