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Palestinian factions meet in Gaza to heal ten-year rift

Fatah meeting suggests Hamas has agreed to an unofficial, long-term ceasefire with Israel

October 3, 2017 08:44
Large crowds welcomed Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on his Gaza visit
2 min read

Cheering crowds gathered in Gaza to welcome Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah as he entered the territory, which is controlled by Hamas, in a show of national unity on Monday.

The delegation of officials from Fatah, the mainstream Palestinian party, shared a stage with Hamas leaders in the most serious attempt at reconciliation since the Islamist group seized control of the territory in 2007.

“We came at the orders of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to announce to the world, from the heart of Gaza, that the Palestinian state cannot be without political and geographic unity between the West Bank and Gaza,” Mr Hamdallah said, Al Jazeera reported.

 “We know that the only way to achieve our goals is through unity, and to protect the Palestinian political system.”