Palestinian factions renewed on Monday a pledge to work to keep gunmen off Gaza streets, following the resignation of the interior minister and the biggest surge in factional fighting in months.
Hours later, Palestinian witnesses reported unidentified gunmen had abducted a lecturer from the Islamic University, which is largely known to support the Islamic group Hamas. There was no immediate comment from the Palestinian factions.
Similar abductions and violence, namely between members of Hamas and rival Fatah, have raged in the Gaza Strip in recent days despite a truce declared months ago. Two Palestinian militants and two civilians were killed in clashes today.
Nine people have been shot dead since a new round of violence erupted on Friday, which revived fears of civil war.
Palestinian Interior Minister Hani al-Qawasmi, who was to have overseen security services, resigned over frustration by competition from powerful Fatah rivals for control of the armed contingents, officials said.
Officials said following talks with Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who has since taken over Qawasmi's duties, leaders from both sides agreed all gunmen aside from the Palestinian police would be removed from Gaza streets.
"Fatah and Hamas leaders have promised that both sides will end all forms of tensions, end armed displays, remove gunmen and checkpoints from the streets and swap hostages," Palestinian cabinet spokesman Ghazi Hamad said.
Violence has often marred past agreements aimed at ending lawlessness. Past police deployments have not fully secured the territory, which has sunk further into poverty and political disarray since Israel withdrew troops and settlers in 2005.