Israel slams landmark Palestine deal, says Hamas must disarm

Israel's prime minister has strongly condemned an agreement on ending a decade-long split between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.

Binyamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Thursday that the landmark deal would make peace with his country "much harder to achieve".

"Israel opposes any reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, as long as Hamas is working to destroy Israel and does not disarm," Netanyahu said.

"Reconciling with mass murderers is part of the problem, not part of the solution," he added.

He said Hamas must to recognise Israel, cease its militant activities, release Israeli hostages it holds and abide by international agreements, demands the Islamic movement rejects.

Under the agreement, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority is to resume full control of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip by December 1, according to a statement from Egypt's intelligence agency, which oversaw the talks.

It was signed in Cairo on Thursday by new Hamas deputy leader Salah al-Aruri and Azzam al-Ahmad, the head of the Fatah delegation for the talks.

Israel, which has fought three wars with Hamas, has been opposed to the idea of Fatah partnering with Hamas, which it along with most of the West considers to be a terrorist group.

It also fears that opening Gaza's borders would help Hamas expand its arsenal and rebuild its military infrastructure.