Hamas and Fatah sign power-sharing deal
Agreement ends decade-long rivalry and relieves humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Palestine’s rival ruling factions have signed a reconciliation deal that ensures a unity government across Gaza and the West Bank.
Following months of reconciliation talks brokered by Egypt, representatives of Fatah and the militant group Hamas agreed a deal in Cairo described by The Independent as “the biggest step forward for intra-Palestinian relations in a decade”.
The agreement will see administrative control of the Gaza Strip handed to a Fatah-backed “government of national accord”, in exchange for lifting sanctions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have been ruled separately since Hamas seized control of the coastal enclave in 2006. Deadly clashes followed in a “decade-long territorial, political and ideological split that has crippled statehood aspirations”, says The Guardian’s Peter Beaumont.
Since then, the Gaza Strip has been subjected to an Israeli blockade and Fatah strangulation of electricity and other resources, leaving its two million residents almost entirely dependent on aid.
A key component of the deal is the agreement to reopen the Rafa crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which could greatly ease Gaza’s humanitarian crisis by allowing freedom of trade and movement. It also contains a pledge to hold local and presidential elections within a year.
A new chapter?
Hamas spokesman Salah al-Bardawil said the deal was “a new chapter in Palestinian history”. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who plans to travel to Gaza for the first time in a decade, told the AFP news agency he welcomed the agreement and considered it “the final deal to end the division”.
The breakthrough “has been driven by the changing dynamics in the wider Middle East, which has seen Egypt move to displace Qatar and Turkey as the key broker in Palestinian affairs, with both Hamas and Fatah increasingly reliant on Cairo’s sponsorship”, says Beaumont.
However, “serious hurdles remain unresolved”, says The New York Times, “including the status of the Hamas militant wing and its estimated 25,000 fighters”.
And this is not the first time the two factions have reached an agreement: a similar deal in 2011 came to nothing. However, Palestinian officials believe the new truce has a greater chances of success because it is backed by Saudi Arabia, the US and - supposedly - Israel.
The Independent described Israel’s initial reaction to the news as “cautious” however, while France 24 quoted an Israeli government statement which said any deal must comply with “international agreements” for Hamas to disarm and recognise the state of Israel.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published