The two leading Palestinian factions have announced a reconciliation deal aimed at healing a seven-year rift. The agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas calls for the formation of a consensus government within five weeks followed by elections in six months. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh helped unveil the deal in Gaza.

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh: “This is good news to tell our Palestinian nation in the country and in the diaspora about the end of the era of division. President Abbas will start the discussions to form the unity government from today, and he should announce it within the legal time, within five weeks.”