Haniyeh hails Hamas-Fatah agreement in unity government

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday welcomed an agreement between warring Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas to form a national unity government, ending years of infighting that has cast a shadow over peace efforts with Israel.

The "national reconciliation, ending the division and mending the rift has become a national responsibility," Haniyeh told a press conference in Gaza after the two sides reached their agreement.

The deal, Haniyeh said, comes "at a time of "assault on the Palestinian cause, assault on the al-Aqsa mosque and a time when the entirety of Jerusalem is being painted Jewish." (Ynetnews)