Fatah and Hamas announced the delay late Wednesday after sharp disagreements derailed a plan to return civil power in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority by Friday. Hamas says reached deal with Palestinian rival FatahGaza has seen three wars with Israel since 2008. A range of complex issues remain to be resolved, including security control of the Gaza Strip and the fate of two separate civil administrations. Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since seizing it in a near civil war with Fatah in 2007, leaving the Palestinians with two separate administrations. The reconciliation agreement stipulates they have until February to find a solution for the Gaza employees, which could include merging the two civil services.

Source: The Express Tribune November 30, 2017 11:26 UTC