Hamas and Fatah decided early Sunday to make efforts to end tension that erupted in violent clashes and mass protests across the Palestinians areas after a Hamas leader accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of treachery.
In a meeting that began late Saturday, Hamas and Fatah officials agreed to calm the hostilities. "The two movements have agreed to call on our Palestinian masses to stop all displays that might lead to tension," Fatah official Maher Mekdad said, reading a joint statement after the meeting. "They agreed to work together to strengthen the national unity."
Late Saturday, hundreds of Fatah activists marched to Gaza's parliament compound, throwing stones and shattering windows in a government building.
In Nablus, Fatah-affiliated members stormed a courthouse, ejected dozens of employees, ordered guards to lock up the building and vowed not to reopen it until Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal apologized.
