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–Hamas conflict that Abbas had been threatening to call early elections for the past five months and that "more threats are not going to work". The announcement of elections provoked high tensions and gun battles between Hamas and Fatah supporters. Abbas strongly denied allegations that members of Fatah and the Force 17 "Presidential Guard" were behind the assassination attempt on Ismail Haniyeh, and he criticized the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. On 17 December, pro-Fatah gunmen attacked Hamas' Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar. Pro-Hamas militiamen retaliated with shots at the home of President Abbas, wounding five guards. A member of Fatah's Force