Hamas and Fatah sign historic reconciliation deal…Will it last?

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The deal: What’s it all about

Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah were in Cairo this week hammering out a reconciliation agreement. As the two sides feuded for more than a decade, the resulting split between the Palestinian people created an impasse in advancing peace with Israel as a unified body. Also, Hamas’ branding as a terror organization by international bodies has led to harsh sanctions deeply affecting Gaza residents.

The two sides, with Egypt’s help, signed an agreement Thursday calling for the more moderate Fatah-headed Palestinian Authority to take over governance of the Gaza Strip. In exchange, sanctions will be lifted.

Ramallah residents: 'Wait and see'

As word came from Egypt of an imminent signing, CGTN's team headed to Ramallah - the seat of the Palestinian Authority - to ask locals what they think about the deal.

At Zman Cafe in the city center, we heard mostly skepticism.

Basel, a business management student at nearby Bir Zeit University in Ramallah. /CGTN Photo

Basel, a business management student at nearby Bir Zeit University, told us the two sides are so far apart in ideologies that he doubts they can make an agreement stick. "Hamas wants religious rule from another era. We don’t want that. We’re just normal people trying to live our lives."

Maram, a local dentist, fears the deal will collapse and violence will prevail because Hamas was backed into the deal after Qatar cut their funding in June.

She doesn’t think the deal or a potential fall-through, however, will directly affect her.

Maram, a local dentist, during an interview with CGTN at Zman Cafe in Ramallah. /CGTN Photo

Israel: We want security

Israel’s government has mostly reserved comment on the deal. Education Minister Naftali Bennet issued a statement Thursday night urging Israel to pull back from relations with the Palestinian Authority and freeze money transfers to the PA "so as to not be an 'ATM for terror.'"

An Israeli delegation was in Cairo for negotiations that led up to the signing. Israel’s interests: Security and return of two Israelis held in Gaza and the remains of two soldiers killed in Gaza.

The future…

While in Ramallah, we also went to see Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a longtime politician and member of the PLO Executive Committee. Between getting constant updates from Cairo he gave us his take:

Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a member of PLO Exec Committee. /CGTN Photo

Firstly, following a 10-year lapse in democratic elections, elections will be held at a future date with a third, democratic party, the PNI or Palestinian National Initiative - headed by Barghouti - brought into the fold.

Secondly, as the two sides come together, it’s time to address the "real problem: Israeli occupation."

Finally, Barghouti thinks the two sides are moving slowly and with Cairo’s help, gauging progress and troubleshooting.