Fatah, Hamas Unite for Ramadan

Ramadan this year will mark a brief expression of unity for the rival Palestinian governments of Hamas, in Gaza, and Fatah, in the West Bank. The holy month begins today or tomorrow—and deciding the date can cause tension between factions across the Muslim world, the AP reports. And despite the agreement this year, Hamas-Fatah tension remains high.

Fatah has warned it will defrock Hamas preachers who use Ramadan sermons to incite violence or stoke sectarian rivalry. The party also banned fundraising during the month without prior approval, an attempt  to prevent charity from filling Hamas' coffers. Hamas says it believes it will collect money unopposed, having removed all Fatah-affiliated financial oversight from Gaza. (More Palestinian civil war stories.)