In the Occupied Territories, rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have agreed on the makeup of a cabinet in their new coalition government.

Hamas spokesperson Ghazi Hamad: “I can confirm that all the procedure, all the procedures, all the consultations are now over, and because we are ready now for a declaration of a national unity government. Today we have an agreement about all the names of the ministers, including the minister of interior. Tomorrow I think that all the organizations and the factions who join the government, they will give the name of the ministers to the prime minster, and on Saturday there will be a meeting for the PLC, in order to give a program to the government.”

Palestinians hope the unity deal will help end the international boycott on their government. The U.S. and Israel have rejected the Hamas platform of a long-term truce and want Hamas to renounce violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and respect previous peace agreements. Palestinians say the conditions are unfair because Israel refuses to accept the same toward Palestinians.