The Islamist group Hamas has begun handing control of border crossings in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of a reconciliation deal. <br/><br/>A ceremony at the Rafah crossing with Egypt saw a formal transfer from a Hamas official to his PA counterpart. <br/><br/>At the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings with Israel, Hamas offices and security equipment are being dismantled. Next month, the internationally-recognised PA is due to take full control of security in Gaza. The reconciliation deal, brokered by Egypt last month, aims to end a decade-long split between Hamas and its secular rival, Fatah, which dominates the PA. <br/><br/>Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have been ruled separately since deadly clashes between Hamas and Fatah broke out in 2007. <br/><br/>Hamas won parliamentary elections in the occupied territories the previous year, and reinforced its power in Gaza after ousting Fatah from the enclave.