Two initiatives revive hopes for Palestinian reconciliation
Hamas’ political bureau member and the Patriots to End the Split announced two similar initiatives to end the Palestinian division, which some say are not enough to solve the internal dispute between Hamas and Fatah in the near future.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Within the span of some 12 hours on Aug. 3, Hamas in Gaza and the Patriots to End the Split and Restore the National Unity in the West Bank independently launched two initiatives to end the political and administrative division between Gaza and the West Bank resulting from the Hamas-Fatah feud.
Salah al-Bardawil from Hamas’ political bureau announced his movement's initiative in a press statement. The proposal includes seven key points, most notably the movement’s readiness to dissolve the administrative committee, set up in March by Hamas to manage Gaza affairs after the movement concluded that the government of national unity would not take responsibility for Gaza's administration. Hamas also stressed the need for President Mahmoud Abbas to reverse measures imposed against Gaza since mid-April to force the movement to dissolve the committee. Abbas ordered cuts in electricity being supplied to Gaza by Israel, forced early retirement of government employees in Gaza, implemented cuts in social allowances and other measures.
