(CNN) -- The politically divided Palestinian territories took a major step toward reconciliation Wednesday when the rival movements of Hamas and Fatah announced a deal to form a unity government, officials from both groups said. The move comes amid international efforts for statehood advanced by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah. It could portend unity in the fractious Palestinian territories. The two political factions have been close to civil war, culminating in 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza after deadly fighting with Fatah partisans. Fatah retained control of the other Palestinian territory, the West Bank. One expert described the announcement as a significant development -- occurring against the larger backdrop of uprisings throughout the Arab world.
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NEW: A Palestinian protest last month sought Fatah-Hamas unity
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An expert says the announcement marks "a very big deal"
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But the two factions may be acting out of fear that the Arab world's uprisings could hit them, too
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Israel says Fatah must pick peace with Hamas or with Israel
@placeholder was a child of the '50s with their armed struggle and tactics and their level of corruption.