Is there reason for hope with new Palestinian reconciliation bid?
Hamas has officially agreed to a new reconciliation push sponsored by Egypt, and Fatah is expected to soon do the same.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — A Fatah delegation is expected in Cairo in the coming days to meet with officials from Egyptian intelligence to discuss Palestinian reconciliation. The delegation, led by Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad, who also heads the reconciliation file, is expected to present a formal response from Fatah about the proposals submitted to Hamas and Fatah to finally implement their on-again, off-again reconciliation.
Hamas announced in a July 19 press release that its political bureau head, Ismail Haniyeh, had relayed to Egyptian intelligence that the movement accepted the Egyptian bid to revive conciliation efforts. A Hamas delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, had visited Cairo July 11 at the invitation of Egyptian intelligence to discuss the reconciliation as well as the situation in Gaza. The delegation returned to Gaza July 17 with a draft containing a number of proposals developed by the Egyptians to advance the stagnant process with Fatah.
