Palestinian Police Chief Hazem Atallah said Hamas must disarm for the Palestinian reconciliation deal to succeed, Al Arabiya reported Nov. 8. Under the reconciliation agreement signed by rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas on Oct. 12, the Palestinian Authority will retake control of the Gaza Strip by Dec. 1. On Oct. 17, the Israeli government also said Hamas must disarm, among other things, before it would agree to negotiate with the newly established Palestinian unity government. Hamas responded, saying it would maintain its weapons.