From the Associated Press:

Palestinian factions signed a reconciliation deal in Algiers on Thursday, vowing to hold elections by next October in their latest attempt to end a rift that has now lasted more than 15 years.

The deal was signed by a leading figure from the Fatah party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and by the chief of the Hamas terror group, which rules Gaza.

But Abbas himself, president of the Palestinian Authority since 2005, was not present.

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