Fatah and Hamas sign reconciliation accord (20 images)

Palestinians hand out candy during a rally in Ramallah, West Bank, to celebrate the signing of the reconciliation agreement between rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, in Cairo, Egypt, May 4, 2011. The reconciliation agreement ends four years of hostile division between Hamas and Fatah and paves the way for Palestinian general elections next year. UPI/Debbie Hill

A Palestinian police directs participants during a rally in Ramallah, West Bank, to celebrate the signing of the reconciliation agreement between rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, in Cairo, Egypt, May 4, 2011. The reconciliation agreement ends four years of hostile division between Hamas and Fatah and paves the way for Palestinian general elections next year. UPI/Debbie Hill

Exiled Leader of Hamas Khaled Mashaal speaks in the Egyptian capital Cairo on May 4, 2011. The rival factions, Fatah and Hamas, signed a reconciliation accord in Cairo after reaching common ground against Israeli occupation and peace efforts. Mashaal said they had a 'common goal; a Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the reconciliation between the factions as a 'blow to peace', but the US declined to make any comment. UPI\ Mohammed Hosam

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas delivers a speech in the Egyptian capital Cairo on May 4, 2011. The rival factions, Fatah and Hamas, signed a reconciliation accord in Cairo after reaching common ground against Israeli occupation and peace efforts. Mashaal said they had a 'common goal; a Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the reconciliation between the factions as a 'blow to peace', but the US declined to make any comment. UPI\ Mohammed Hosam