The Palestinian presidency called on factions Fatah and Hamas movements to maintain calm with Israel, saying this is only way to face it.

"Israel is trying to make excuses in order not to break the siege on the Gaza Strip or to withdraw from the Palestinian lands, " presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rdineh said. "We do not want to give Israel pretexts by violating the state of calm."

His remarks come as Hamas and Fatah reached an agreement to create a technocratic government ruling the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The agreement, due to be signed Wednesday, includes preparing for elections after one year, in addition to resolving issues related to security and Palestine Liberation Organization.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a reconciliation agreement between the two Palestinian movements is a cause for concern for Israel and all the countries of the world.

Fatah and Hamas movements on Tuesday reached an oral understanding about continuing to keep calm in the Hamas- controlled Gaza Strip, an Egyptian newspaper reported.

The internal Palestinian division started when Hamas seized the Gaza Strip by force after clashes with Fatah in June 2007.

Source: Xinhua Related Reading

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