As the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas move to reconcile, families of loved ones killed in Gaza's civil war a decade ago are also learning to get along.
With the backing of an exiled former Palestinian security chief, grieving families are agreeing to drop their 10-year-old blood feuds in exchange for $50,000 payments.
The idea is to help Gaza move beyond one of its darkest chapters — the weeklong round of internecine fighting that ended with Hamas' takeover of the territory in 2007.
More than 700 Palestinians were killed in the infighting between the Fatah and Hamas factions.
The project is also giving Mohammed Dahlan, the former Gaza intelligence chief, his most direct involvement in Palestinian affairs since he was forced into exile in 2010 by President Mahmoud Abbas.
In this conservative society, family feuds are perhaps the biggest threat to the social fabric. Organizers hope that working at the local level can help on the broader political level as well.
"By doing this, we end rancor among families," said Majed Abu Shamalla, a Fatah lawmaker loyal to Dahlan.
"We end a cycle of blood and revenge and this can lead to a real political reconciliation. Without ending this, the political reconciliation between the Palestinian factions can't be achieved."
Hundreds of people attended a reconciliation ceremony held at a wedding hall in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya.
A representative from each family was called to the stage, shook hands with officials and received a check.

Source:Arabnews