Fatah, Hamas to try reconciliation

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas are set to sign an Egyptian-brokered set of principles meant to pave the way to reconciliation, sources say.

Representatives of the two factions will go to Cairo to sign the principles Nov. 9, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said without naming sources. It said the document isn't a comprehensive deal to unite Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, and the militant Hamas, which holds sway in the Gaza Strip. Instead, it's meant as a first step, the newspaper said.

The agreement reportedly recommends that elections for both the president and the parliament be conducted simultaneously, envisions reforms in Palestinian institutions and calls for a unity government including both Fatah and Hamas.

Five committees would be formed after the signing of the agreement to draft the terms of a permanent reconciliation deal, Haaretz said, adding that Fatah officials are worried the committees could turn into tools for Hamas to delay relinquishing of its control of the Gaza Strip and increase its influence in the West Bank.