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Hamas and Fatah unveil Palestinian reconciliation deal Hamas and Fatah unveil Palestinian reconciliation deal
(35 minutes later)
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have announced a reconciliation deal, saying they will seek to form a unity government in the coming weeks.Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have announced a reconciliation deal, saying they will seek to form a unity government in the coming weeks.
It comes as the peace talks between President Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel near collapse.It comes as the peace talks between President Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel near collapse.
Hamas and Fatah split violently in 2007. Previous reconciliation agreements have never been implemented.Hamas and Fatah split violently in 2007. Previous reconciliation agreements have never been implemented.
Israel's prime minister said Mr Abbas would have to choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas.Israel's prime minister said Mr Abbas would have to choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas.
"You can have one but not the other. I hope he chooses peace; so far he hasn't done so," warned Benjamin Netanyahu."You can have one but not the other. I hope he chooses peace; so far he hasn't done so," warned Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Abbas sent a delegation to Gaza for talks earlier this week. Palestinian officials responded by saying reconciliation is an internal matter and uniting Palestinian people would reinforce peace.
'Good news''Good news'
The latest deal was announced on Wednesday at a news conference by representatives of Fatah and Hamas, an Islamist group designated a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and the EU. Mr Abbas sent a delegation from his Fatah party to Gaza for reconciliation talks earlier this week.
The factions said they planned to form an interim unity government within five weeks and hold parliamentary elections within six months. Wednesday's announcement was made at a news conference by representatives of Fatah and Hamas, an Islamist group designated a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and the EU.
The factions said they planned to form an interim unity government - headed by Mr Abbas - within five weeks and hold parliamentary elections within six months.
"This is the good news we tell our people," Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, told reporters. "The era of division is over.""This is the good news we tell our people," Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, told reporters. "The era of division is over."
The news brought thousands of Palestinians out on to the streets of Gaza City in celebration.
Ordinary Palestinians have long hoped for an end to the split between their political leaders but previous reconciliation deals in Doha and Cairo were never implemented, says the BBC's Yolande Knell in Jerusalem.
The agreement will strengthen the position of Mr Abbas - whose Fatah movement dominates the Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the West Bank - and should also make Hamas feel less isolated as it continues to face border restrictions imposed by Israel and Egypt, our correspondent adds.
The two factions have been at odds since Hamas, which won parliamentary elections in 2006, ousted forces loyal to Mr Abbas and Fatah in Gaza during clashes in 2007 and set up a rival government.The two factions have been at odds since Hamas, which won parliamentary elections in 2006, ousted forces loyal to Mr Abbas and Fatah in Gaza during clashes in 2007 and set up a rival government.
Shortly after the reconciliation deal was announced, five people were injured in an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza, Palestinian medics said. Witnesses said the target appeared to be two men riding a motorcycle. Shortly after Wednesday's reconciliation deal was announced, five people were injured in an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza, Palestinian medics said.
It comes two days after militants launched rockets from the coastal territory into southern Israel. Israel said it had targeted militants preparing to fire rockets. On Monday, seven rockets were launched from the territory into southern Israel.
Are you in the region? You can email us your views at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Hamas-Fatah'.Are you in the region? You can email us your views at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Hamas-Fatah'.