Wed Apr 27 2011 (Updated 04/29/11)
Rival Palestinian Factions Reach Reconciliation Agreement; Netanyahu Slams Deal
During the past month, Palestinian youth protested in a number of West Bank and Gaza areas calling for unity and ending party divisions. On April 27th, Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation draft agreement in Cairo, Egypt, following rounds of talks, with hope to end a four-year internal unrest in the Palestinian Territories. Both parties agreed, under Egyptian supervision, to form a transitional government soon. The two delegations, headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Fatah movement, and Khaled Mashaal, Hamas' politburo chief, discussed the security issue and ways to coordinate the two security forces that Hamas and Fatah control. They have set a date for general elections to take place, however it has not been disclosed yet. Egyptian sources said that the two parties will be invited into Egypt soon to an official signing ceremony.
Palestinian factions welcomed the deal that was signed in Cairo, and expressed hopes that the four years of internal conflict will come to an end. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, denounced the draft agreement of Palestinian unity, and added that “Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chose peace with Hamas instead of peace with Israel”.
Read More | In Light Of Palestinian Unity Deal, U.S. Threatens To Cut Aid To Palestinian Authority
