On This Day: Fatah, Hamas factions form short-lived 'Palestinian Unity Government' to rule over PA

A Palestinian unity government, formed on June 2, 2014, between Fatah and Hamas aimed to govern the Palestinian Authority. While celebrated by members of both factions, the move immediately drew sharp criticism from Israel, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to suspend peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also voiced concern over Hamas's involvement in the government. Abbas announced the formation on Palestine TV, describing it as an interim administration pending elections. However, the legality of his declaration was questioned, with some suggesting it violated the PA's Basic Law, which requires legislative council approval for governments.

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concern about Hamas's role in any such government.

This was not the first attempt at a unity government between the factions; an earlier one in March 2007 was dissolved by Abbas in June 2007 following Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip. The 2014 unity government ultimately proved short-lived, lasting just over a year before Abbas dissolved it on June 17, 2015. Its tenure was marked by challenges, including Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014, which followed rocket fire from Hamas into Israel and Israeli counterterrorism operations in the West Bank.

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it would serve as an interim government until elections were held.