Fatah, Hamas Announce Agreement

A deal between the bitter rivals could pave the way for Palestinian statehood, but Israel is far from happy about it.

Political mergers are on the tips of tongues not just in Canada, but in Palestine as well, where Hamas and Fatah announced they would come together to form a transitional government to prepare the territory for statehood. Fatah, a moderate, secular party that governs the West Bank under President Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas, a militant Islamist party that rules the Gaza Strip, have long been at odds over the future of Palestine and its relations with its neighbour-cum-overseer, Israel. The deal, to be signed by leaders of both parties next week, was condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who says Fatah is making a deal with the devil in Hamas. Netanyahu vowed signing such a deal would put an end to peace talks between Israel and Palestine.