A show of reconciliation in Gaza between rival Palestinian groups.
An accord was announced on Wednesday between the Palestinian Liberation Organization, or PLO, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and the Gaza-based Islamist group Hamas.
After bickering for years, they're looking for the benefits of unity.
They pledged to form a unity government within five weeks and eventually hold national elections.
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh:
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMAS PRIME MINISTER ISMAIL HANIYEH SAYING:
"This is good news to tell our Palestinian nation in the country and in the diaspora about the end of the era of division."
Their political rift has been a long one.
Militant Hamas seized control of the Gaza strip in 2007 after winning an election the year before.
President Abbas's Western-backed government remains in control of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank.
His Fatah party has pursued peace talks
