Hamas

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Palestinian Hamas supporters celebrate the announcement of a prisoner swap deal with Israel, in the Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip on Oct. 11, 2011. Israeli and Hamas have reached a deal to free captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, held by Hamas-linked militants in the Gaza Strip since 2006, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, officials from both sides said. (Associated Press)

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** FILE ** Israeli Defense Forces Sgt. Gilad Schalit has been held by Hamas since 2006. (AP Photo, File)

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Israeli soldiers patrol during a military operation in the West Bank city of Hebron early on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. Israeli troops rounded up 50 Hamas activists in the West Bank in an overnight raid, Palestinian security officials said. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)

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Illustration: Hamas by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

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ASSOCIATED PRESS/HAMAS MEDIA OFFICE Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (center left) shakes hands with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Cairo on Wednesday after agreement on a reconcilation pact. Left unresolved was who will lead the government to be formed. There was also no mention of relations with Israel.

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Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh insists Hamas won't give up control of its security forces or of Gaza after a unity pact with the Palestinian Authority, set to be signed Wednesday, takes effect. (Associated Press)

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Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh insists Hamas won't give up control of its security forces or of Gaza after a unity pact with the Palestinian Authority, set to be signed Wednesday, takes effect. (Associated Press)

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ASSOCIATED PRESS Azzam al-Ahmed, the chief Fatah negotiator in the reconciliation talks (left), sits next to Hamas leaders Moussa Abu Marzoug (center) and Mahmoud Al Zahar (right) in Cairo. Palestinians have reached initial agreement on reuniting their governments in the West Bank and Gaza, a step that, officials say, would remove an obstacle in the way of peace efforts with Israel.

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** FILE ** Palestinian children, one masked and waving a green Islamic flag, sit near a photo of Gaza's Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, during a rally to mark the 23rd anniversary of the group's founding, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Majed Hamdan)

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Palestinians gather around a destroyed car after an explosion in Gaza City, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010. Hamas officials say one person has been killed and four others wounded in the explosion. Hamas media reported the car was hit in an air strike. Israeli military had no immediate comment.(AP Photo/ Majed Hamdan)

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Palestinians gather around a destroyed car after an explosion in Gaza City, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010. Hamas officials say one person has been killed and four others wounded in the car explosion. Hamas media reported the car was hit in an air strike. Israeli military had no immediate comment.(AP Photo/ Hatem Moussa)

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Palestinian supporters of the Islamic group Hamas raise their right index fingers in the air as a sign of loyalty during a rally to protest the killing of two Hamas militants in Hebron, in the Jebaliya refugess camp, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

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A Palestinian relative of Hamas member Iyad Abu Shilbaya reacts in the family house after Shilbaya was killed by Israeli troops in his bedroom, in the Nur Shams refugee camp near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, Friday Sept. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)