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Hamas optimistic that Palestinian reconciliation will stand

Hamas leaders have thrown their full support behind the reconciliation deal with Fatah, hoping it will end their isolation and Gaza’s crippling siege.
A Palestinian Fatah member holds his daughter after his release from a Hamas-run prison in Gaza City April 21, 2014. Hamas-run ministry of interior in Gaza freed 10 prisoners of the rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, calling it a gesture for achieving the Palestinian reconciliation. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3M1T6

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinians in the Gaza Strip rejoiced on April 23 after Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation agreement, hoping this time will be different. Previous agreements, including the latest in Doha in 2012, have produced little progress.

The positive atmosphere was evident, accompanied by a number of signs of strengthening reconciliation efforts on the ground. One such indication was Hamas’ release of 10 Fatah-affiliated detainees who had been accused of security violations.

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