Palestinian factions to meet in Cairo for reconciliation talks

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Leading Palestinian political factions are to gather in Cairo on Tuesday to push ahead with reconciliation efforts, including discussing the formation of a unity government.

Representatives of 13 political parties arrived in the Egyptian capital on Monday ahead of talks that are expected to last three days, participants said.

The United Nations has said the reconciliation efforts "must not be allowed to fail" or another round of conflict with Israel could break out.

A Palestinian man waves the flags of Egypt and Palestine as people gather in Gaza City to celebrate after rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah reached an agreement on ending a decade-long split following talks mediated by Egypt, October 12, 2017. /AFP photo

The two largest parties – Fatah and Hamas – signed an Egyptian-sponsored unity deal on October 12 under which Hamas is supposed to cede power in the Gaza Strip by December 1.

As part of that deal, both parties and other smaller groups are expected to discuss several issues in Cairo, including forming a unity government and holding elections.

There have been no Palestinian parliamentary elections since Islamist movement Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 from Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Members of Palestinian security forces stand at Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip, November 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Palestinians and international powers hope implementation of the unity deal could help ease the suffering of Gaza's two million residents, who suffer from severe poverty and unemployment.

Israel has maintained a crippling decade-long blockade of Gaza, while Egypt has also largely closed its border in recent years.

The division between Palestinian factions has also been cited as one of the largest obstacles to meaningful peace talks with the Israelis. Previous reconciliation attempts have failed.

Stumbling blocks

The exact timetable for Tuesday's meeting is unclear, and the Egyptian government has not publicly announced the location of the talks.

Fatah's delegation will be headed by negotiator Azzam al-Ahmed.

On the Hamas side, deputy leader Salah Aruri will be the highest-ranking official present.

Neither Palestinian president and Fatah leader Mahmud Abbas nor Hamas chief Ismail Haniya will attend.

Palestinians celebrate in Gaza after the main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, reached a deal, October 12, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The October accord is supposed to see Fatah retake full control of Gaza, but significant stumbling blocks remain.

In particular, the future of Hamas's vast armed wing, which has fought three wars with Israel since 2008, is hotly disputed.

Abbas has repeatedly said he will only accept one military authority in the Palestinian territories, but Hamas officials have refused to disarm.

Israel has also said it will not accept any Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless the Islamist group puts down its weapons.

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Source(s): AFP