• Published 18:32 03.02.10
  • Latest update 18:33 03.02.10

Fatah official visits Hamas-ruled Gaza for 1st time since '07 coup

Nabil Sha'ath, a member of the Fatah central committee, arrived in Gaza on Wednesday.

By Avi Issacharoff Tags: Hamas Fatah Israel news Palestinians

For the first time since Hamas ousted President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction from rule in the Gaza Strip in 2007, an official from the Fatah government in the West Bank visited the coastal enclave on Wednesday.

Nabil Sha'ath, a member of the Fatah central committee, arrived in Gaza on Wednesday after crossing into the territory from the Erez checkpoint via Israel.

Sha'ath was welcomed in Gaza by a number of individuals who are thought to be politically unaligned.

The official, who is expected to remain in Gaza for a number of days, is scheduled to meet with figures from various Palestinian organizations, including Hamas. They are expected to discuss efforts to forge reconciliation among the rival Palestinian factions.

Palestinians who are unaffiliated with the main factions have sought to mediate the discussions between Fatah and Hamas, which have stalled since Egypt ceased its efforts to bridge the remaining gaps.

Inter-factional talks have taken on a greater urgency since both sides would like to make progress before the Arab League summit, which is scheduled to take place in late March.

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  • 4. 0 0
    Tony Silver
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 04.02.10
    • 05:33

    If there is any movement in the standoff of Fatah and Hamas, it will be in favor of Hamas. Israel has totally destroyed the credibility of Fatah, and Abbas. This means ANY accommodation which results in reconciliation between those parties will favor Hamas. Israel prefers government by right-wing lunatics who wish Hamas to dominate in Palestine, and will do anything to destroy Abbas and Fatah. Israel prefers people who support it's worst enemy than it's best option. The next step in this line of reasoning would be to say Israel will get what it wants and that is just. What I want for Israel is a day of peace before I die. And Netanyahu doesn't want that because it would be the end of his political career.

  • 3. 0 0
    Tony Silver's dreams
    • Jasper
    • 03.02.10
    • 23:13

    Both factions have charters that say nothing about any kind of peace with Israel, and explicitly call for the destruction of Israel. Aside from that, sure, Tony, anything you say is probably true.

  • 2. 0 0
    Unity of Palestinians is good for peace negotiations
    • Tony Silver
    • 03.02.10
    • 20:44

    because israel will have a Partner for any peace deal.

  • 1. 0 0
    Unity of Palestinians is good for peace negotiations
    • Tony Silver
    • 03.02.10
    • 20:44

    because israel will have a Partner for any peace deal.