Hamas handed over control of the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt to the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday in a first key test of a Palestinian reconciliation accord agreed last month, an Agence France-Presse journalist said.

Nazmi Muhanna, the Palestinian Authority's top official for border crossings, and his Hamas counterpart signed an agreement that will see the internationally recognized authority take control of the border with Egypt.

An AFP journalist also saw Hamas installations at a separate checkpoint with Israel being dismantled.

Under the Egyptian-brokered deal, the Palestinian Authority is due to take full control of Gaza by December 1.

source: Alarabiya