Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas agreed to implement a unity pact on Wednesday, with a goal to form a government within five weeks. The parties agreed to hold national elections six months after a vote of confidence by the Palestinian parliament.

Mahmoud Abbas's PLO remains in control of the Palestinian Territories of the West Bank while Hamas is in control of the Gaza Strip, where they won elections in 2006. In the past, Arab-brokered unity talk have failed, leaving many Palestinians skeptical about their leaders' reconciliation efforts.

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Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netenyahu, has cautioned Abbas over the unity pact, saying he can either choose peace with Israel or Islamist Hamas, which has not recognized Israel.

Read more at The New York Times.

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