RAMALLAH - Deep divisions will limit progress at reconciliation talks between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah this month, conversations with five sources in the groups indicate, but the meetings highlight that the Islamist group is likely to retain influence after Israel's war in Gaza.
People hold Fatah flags during a protest in support of the people of Gaza, as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Oct 27, 2023.
But even as it is pummelled militarily, the meetings of Hamas politicians with officials from the Fatah party that controls Palestinian politics in the Israeli-occupied West Bank point to the group's aim of shaping the post-war order in the Palestinian territories, according to a source familiar with conversations within Hamas.
"We are speaking about political partnership and political unity to restructure the Palestinian entity," Naim, who attended the previous round of China talks, said in an interview. The United States and EU oppose any role for Hamas in governing Gaza after the war, during which Israel's offensive has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to the Gazan health ministry.
The PA also ran Gaza until 2007, when Hamas drove Fatah from the enclave, a year after defeating Fatah in parliamentary elections - the last time Palestinians voted. Despite 143 countries recognising Palestine, including Ireland, Spain and Norway last week, hopes for a sovereign nation have been diminishing for years as Israel expands settlements in the West Bank and opposes statehood.
A second senior official familiar with Fatah's terms for the China talks said it wants Hamas to acknowledge the role of the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the Palestinians' sole legitimate representative, and to commit to the agreements the PLO has signed. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Friday that in addition to a government of "national consensus", the group wants elections for the PA presidency, parliament and the PNC.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israeli strike kills Palestinian militant, wounds 8 people in West BankRAMALLAH — A Palestinian militant was killed and eight other people wounded on Friday (May 17) in an Israeli air strike on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry and Israeli military said. The armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group named the killed man as member Islam Khamayseh.
Read more »
Mediated Israel-Hamas talks on hostage deal expected next week, source saysJERUSALEM - Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal to free Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip are due to restart next week, an official with knowledge of the matter said on May 25. The decision to restart the talks, said the source, who declined to be identified by name or nationality given the sensitivity of...
Read more »
Mediated Israel-Hamas talks on hostage deal expected next week, source saysNew proposals and active American involvement are expected.
Read more »
US says Palestinian state should come via talks, not unilateral recognitionWASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations, not unilateral recognition, the White House said on Wednesday (May 22) after Ireland, Spain and Norway
Read more »
US says Rafah offensive would jeopardize Israel-Hamas ceasefire talksWASHINGTON: The United States warned on Thursday (May 9) that Israel will be dealing a strategic victory to Hamas if it carries out plans for an all-out assault on Rafah, the militants' last major stronghold
Read more »
Hamas wants Israel to commit to permanent ceasefire, full withdrawal from GazaCAIRO - Hamas cannot agree to any deal unless Israel makes a 'clear' commitment to a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, a senior official from the Palestinian militant group said on June 4. Qatar, which alongside the US and Egypt has been mediating talks between Hamas and Israel, has also urged Israel to provide a...
Read more »