Hamas calls for unity with Fatah to combat Trump's Jerusalem decision amid violence

"This Zionist aggression, its American support and the dangers our cause faces, require the speedy completion of Palestinian reconciliation and national unity in order to strengthen our central authority. We therefore call on the leadership of the [Palestinian] Authority to expedite the implementation of what has already been agreed upon," the statement, issued on Friday, reads.

Rival Palestinian political factions Hamas and Fatah signed a landmark reconciliation agreement in October, whereby control of the Gaza would be handed over to a Fatah-led unity government. However the deal has since encountered setbacks and the agreed Gaza handover date was not recognised by either party.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah stated in a press conference last week that Palestinian unity was the best response to US President Trump's decision to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"We are aware that our road to reconciliation is long and thorny, but we also know that we will reach the end. National reconciliation is a strategic option we will not abandon," he stated at the press conference in Gaza.

Eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since Trump's announcement on December 6 to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

One of the killed Palestinians was Ibrahim Abu Thuraya, a celebrated Palestinian activist and symbol of resilience, after losing both his legs in an Israeli helicopter attack in 2008.

A second handover date for control of Gaza has not been announced.