GAZA, May 11 (UPI) -- Fatah and Hamas agreed to set up joint sub-committees for information, politics and field-monitoring, to ease tensions and curb violence between the groups.
Fatah spokesman in Gaza, Abdel Hakim Awad, told reporters Thursday that the agreement was reached at a meeting of the six-man Higher Coordination Committee comprising three leaders from Fatah and three from Hamas, which was set up Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of the Hamas-led government Ismail Haniyeh.
Awad said the information sub-committee will follow up and monitor information outlets, including audio visual media, the written press and Web sites, in order to restrict their speech and avoid any provocations.
Field subcommittees will be set up in the various regions to follow up developments and events on the field and act if necessary to contain them in coordination with the higher committee.
Violence that pitted Fatah and Hamas gunmen against each other in Gaza in recent days resulted in the deaths of three militants as the injury of dozens.
The leaderships of the two rival powerful groups issued a joint statement barring armed manifestations and removing gunmen from the streets. They also vowed to admonish those of their gunmen who violate the decision and cause insecurity and disorder.
