Hamas discusses reconciliation with Palestinian factions in Gaza

Ismail Haniyeh (C), head of the Political Bureau of Hamas and Head of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar hold a meeting with the leaders of Palestinians group in order to build political consensus in Palestine, on 25 September 2017, in Gaza [Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency]

Hamas met yesterday with Palestinian factions in Gaza to discuss reconciliation developments ahead of handing over control of Gaza Strip to the unity government next week, Al-Resalah newspaper reported.

Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief in Gaza Yahya Al-Sinwar and other senior Hamas leaders attended the private meeting.

As a first step towards taking up responsibilities in Gaza, the head of the unity government Rami Hamdallah announced yesterday that his council would convene in the coastal enclave.

Hamas Spokesman Abdel Latif Al-Qanou hailed Hamadallah’s announcement to convene his government in Gaza as positive amidst a process that has been fraught with disappointment.

On 17 September Hamas announced from Cairo the dissolution of the administrative committee which ran the Gaza Strip after the unity government refused to take up responsibilities in the besieged Strip.

Hamas has called for the unity government, which is overwhelmed with Fatah members, to immediately go to Gaza and called for Mahmoud Abbas to cancel punitive measures against it.

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