Financial Times FT.com

Government talks resume as Gaza bury its dead

By Sharmila Devi in Jerusalem and Harvey Morris in Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip

Published: November 9 2006 15:50 | Last updated: November 9 2006 15:50

Rival Palestinian factions on Thursday resumed talks on a national unity government, showing renewed consensus as tens of thousands joined a mass funeral for the 18 civilians killed by Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip a day earlier.

Palestinian officials said the violence of the past week was unlikely to derail talks between Hamas and Fatah on forming a new government and that a deal was close after months of so far inconclusive negotiations.

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