Palestinian sources say rival factions have agreed to stop the violence in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, shortly after fierce fighting there killed three security officers.

The sources say officials from the ruling Hamas party and its rival, Fatah, agreed to free each other's hostages.

Witnesses say the three officers of a Fatah security force were killed Wednesday when gunmen ambushed their car in Khan Younis.

Earlier, witnesses said militants from Hamas and Fatah clashed in northern Gaza after gunmen killed a Fatah militant. Hospital officials say a woman was killed in the crossfire.

Meanwhile, Agence France Presse says Peru's deputy foreign minister plans to travel to the Gaza Strip to seek to free a Peruvian photographer kidnapped Monday in Gaza City.

AFP reports that Gonzalo Gutierrez will meet with officials from the French news agency, the Palestinian Authority and the French government to secure the release of Jaime Razuri.

The photographer had returned to his office at the Gaza bureau of AFP when gunmen forced him into a car and sped away.

No group has claimed responsibility. Fatah and Hamas are calling for Razuri's release.

Hamas and Fatah agreed to a ceasefire last month after weeks of deadly violence.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.