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Fatah and Hamas Sign Deal, But Feuding Continues

Rival Palestinian factions bicker over control of Gaza

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 23, 2008 8:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – In a second attempt to mend fences, rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas agreed to resume direct talks today to resolve disputes and revive their failed coalition. A Hamas official called the deal “a new beginning and the start of a new stage,” but just hours after signing the Yemeni-sponsored Sanaa Declaration, the factions returned to feuding, Reuters reports.

The latest sticking point is an old one: control of Gaza. The declaration calls for the Palestinian situation to be returned “to what it was before the Gaza incidents,” when Hamas seized the territory last June. But Hamas rejected Fatah’s demands to surrender control of the territory. The deal also stipulates new elections and the reformation of security forces.

Fatah and Hamas signed a Yemeni-sponsored deal today, but differences remain.
Fatah and Hamas signed a Yemeni-sponsored deal today, but differences remain.   (AP Photo)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends Friday prayers at a mosque adjacent to this compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Friday March 21, 2008. Abbas says reconciliation talks in Yemen between his Fatah Party and the Gaza Strip's Islamic Hamas rulers have been extended through Saturday in an effort...
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends Friday prayers at a mosque adjacent to this compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Friday March 21, 2008. Abbas says reconciliation talks in Yemen between...   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Hamas must relinquish control of Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Hamas must relinquish control of Gaza.   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Hamas must relinquish control of Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Hamas must relinquish control of Gaza.   (AP Photo)
A girl holds the Palestinian national flag at a rally for Fatah-Hamas unity.
A girl holds the Palestinian national flag at a rally for Fatah-Hamas unity.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
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