AL QUDS, Dec 22: Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they had suspended suicide attacks against Israel until further notice, helping to ease mounting strains within the Palestinian Authority.

The show of solidarity seemed to be aimed at halting increasingly bloody fighting between Palestinian police and freedom fighters, which reached a climax on Friday when six people were killed and over 80 wounded in a gun battle in Gaza.

The clashes, which followed efforts by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to rein in freedom fighters, were the worst since the Palestinian Authority was set up in 1994 and marked one of the most serious internal challenges made to Arafat’s leadership.

“I realise they’ve said they won’t conduct suicide bombings. That has to lead to the conclusion that maybe someday they’ll say they will.—Agencies