2017 Fatah–Hamas Agreement
The 2017 Fatah–Hamas Agreement was a reconciliation deal signed on 12 October 2017 in Cairo, Egypt, with Egypt acting as mediator. The signatories were Azzam al-Ahmad for Fatah and Hamas deputy leader Salah al-Arouri. Before the signing, Hamas said on 17 September 2017 that it was dissolving its Supreme Administrative Committee as part of the reconciliation effort.
Key points of the deal
- Hamas would hand over control of Gaza to Fatah, allowing Fatah to run civilian matters, and the economic blockade on Gaza would be eased.
- Gaza was to be under full civilian control, and the deal included plans for easing the blockade.
- Elections (legislative, presidential, and National Council) were to be held within one year of signing, with an interim government to run things in the meantime.
- About 3,000 Palestinian Authority police would be sent to Gaza.
- The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza was to be operated by Mahmoud Abbas’ presidential guards by 1 November 2017.
Timelines and disputes
- Hamas was to hand over control of Gaza by 1 December 2017, with both sides asking for a delay to 10 December.
- By January 2018, the sides had not fully implemented the deal, arguing over its details and missed deadlines.
- The biggest sticking point remained weapons: Hamas said no group could give up its weapons, while Palestinian Authority President Abbas insisted that PA security forces control all weapons in Gaza.
Background and context
- Hamas had faced pressure from the Palestinian Authority, including salary cuts for Gaza-based employees and reduced electricity, worsening Gaza’s electricity crisis.
- In early 2018, an Egyptian security delegation planned to visit Gaza to push the reconciliation process forward.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 04:22 (CET).