Hamas withdraws militia

? The Islamic militant Hamas government withdrew its militia from the streets of Gaza on Friday, pulling back from an increasingly bloody confrontation with security forces loyal to moderate President Mahmoud Abbas.

The conciliatory signal came as Hamas grappled with Abbas’ ultimatum that it either accept a Palestinian state alongside Israel – implicitly recognizing the Jewish state – or be challenged in a national referendum. Hamas appeared divided, with some in the group threatening to fight the referendum idea and others embracing it.

The power struggle between Hamas and Abbas has intensified in recent weeks, with street fighting leaving 10 dead and dozens wounded.