Hamas and Fatah reach agreement

After a decade-long rift, rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah have reached a preliminary agreement that could pave the way for President Mahmoud Abbas to resume governing the Gaza Strip

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader

President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah party

MAIN POINTS OF PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT

Administration: Responsibility for Gaza to be handed to West Bank-based government of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah

Rafah crossing: Hamdallah’s government to control Gaza side of border with Egypt, with possible European monitoring. Opening of crossing would end crippling blockade which prevents free trade and bars most of Gaza’s two million people from leaving territory

Policing: 3,000 Fatah securityofficers will join Gaza police force. Hamas would retain most powerful armed Palestinian faction, whose estimated 25,000 fighters have fought three wars with Israel since 2008

Committees: To be set up to workout details of agreement, such as how thousands of Hamas civil servants would be integrated into government

West Bank Abbas’s Fatahparty currently holds power 

Gaza Strip: Fatah lost control of territory to Hamas – seen as terrorist organisation by the West and Israel – during fighting in 2007

Palestinian control

Gaza City
Rafah
Jerusalem
ISRAEL
EGYPT
JORDAN
Dead Sea
40km
25 miles

Sources: AP, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images