Formation of new Palestinian government

On 23 April 2014 it was announced that Fatah and Hamas, the two main factions in Palestinian politics, had signed a reconciliation agreement. Subsequently, in June 2014, a unity government was sworn in, made up primarily of technocrats but enjoying the support of both factions. Hamas does not recognise the state of Israel, and Israel suspended its peace talks with the Palestinians in response to the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation. This note provides a brief summary and analysis of these developments.