Palestinian-factions, Fatah & Hamas signed Reconciliation Agreement for National Unity Government

The leaders of two main Palestinian-factions, Fatah and Hamas on 4 May 2011 signed a reconciliation agreement. The agreement signed between the two factions paved the way for the formation of transitional national unity government followed by elections. The accord signed helped to end a four year feud between Fatah and Hamas and the signing of the account will be followed by preparations for the formation of an interim government. Three separate committees will be formed, which will plan for the upcoming polls as well as recommend internal reforms within the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). PLO is the umbrella group of the Palestinian factions. One of the committees would also study new security arrangements between Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Bitter fighting in 2007 had led to the exit of forces loyal to Fatah from Gaza, which has since been administered by the Islamist Hamas.

The pact is widely seen as fallout of the Egyptian uprising that resulted in the formation of military-led transitional government in Cairo that played a key role brokering the intra-Palestinian accord.

Both factions aim at a new and viable Palestinian state on land occupied by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Israel rejected the pact, and reinforced that Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas would have to choose between Israel or peace with Khaled Meshaal Hamas that aspires to destroy Israel.