Hamas, Fatah to resume reconciliation talks in Cairo next week

CAIRO – 3 October: Hamas and Fatah will visit Egypt on October 9 to discuss the upcoming procedures of the Palestinian internal reconciliation, Hamas’ Chief Ismail Haniyeh revealed Monday.

In a TV interview with satellite channel ON Live from Gaza Tuesday, Haniyeh denied Hamas’s interference in Egypt’s domestic affairs, adding that “Hamas won’t harbor or assist any person or entity that seeks to harm Egyptian national security,” referring to the Muslim Brotherhood group that was banned legally in Egypt and listed as a terrorist organization in December 2013.

Hamas’ movement announced on September 17 the dissolution of the administrative committee at the Gaza Strip, inviting the Government of National Reconciliation to assume its duties and hold general elections. The movement affirmed it would comply with the Social Reconciliation Accord signed in 2011.

The Consensus Government convenes in Gaza for the first time since 2014 on Tuesday. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah headed the first cabinet meeting, in the first actual procedure to assume administration of Gaza, following the dissolution of the administrative committee that used to run Gaza’s affairs by Hamas’ Movement.

Cairo sponsored the Palestinian reconciliation talks over the last 11 years, which finally resulted in the latest unity initiative, following frequent failures.