As the signing ceremony was taking place in Washington, Palestinian police in Gaza briefly detained about a dozen journalists who'd gone to the home of the Hamas leader, Sheikh Yassin, to get his reaction to the deal.

Their equipment was confiscated and they were told that in future they would need official permission to interview or film political figures.

Under the terms of the peace deal, the Palestinian Authority has promised tougher action against Hamas and other militant groups opposed to the peace process.