2017 Fatah–Hamas Agreement any group conceding its weapons. Meanwhile, PA President and Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has said he would only agree to a scenario in which the PA security forces control all of Gaza’s weapons. In early March 2018, an Egyptian security delegation was to arrive in Gaza to follow up on the stalled reconciliation efforts. Hamas was due to hand over control of Gaza by 1 December 2017. Both Hamas and Fatah requested Egypt that takeover be delayed to 10 December. In the agreement, it is stipulated that Hamas gives Fatah full civilian control of the Gaza Strip, and in return
Fatah of Jordan (as well as a number of Fatah commandos) informed Arafat of Israel's large-scale military preparations. Upon hearing the news, many guerrilla groups in the area, including George Habash's newly formed group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Nayef Hawatmeh's breakaway organization the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), withdrew their forces from the town. Fatah leaders were advised by a pro-Fatah Jordanian divisional commander to withdraw their men and headquarters to nearby hills, but on Arafat's orders, Fatah remained, and the Jordanian Army agreed to back them if heavy fighting ensued. On