Palestinian police have begun taking control of the northern Gaza Strip, after Israeli troops pulled out and Palestinian militants declared a ceasefire. In a boost to the US-backed peace plan, known as the roadmap, Israel handed over security responsibility in Beit Hanoun to the Palestinians, who pledged to stop militants carrying out attacks from the area. The main militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, declared a suspension to attacks against Israelis on Sunday, raising hopes of an end to 33 months of fighting between Israel and the Palestinians. The moves came after US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice spent the weekend in Israel and the Palestinian territories urging leaders on both sides to press ahead with the peace plan.

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