A decisive day in Palestinian history was shaped in Cairo

CAIRO – 10 October 2017: Delegates from Palestinian movements, Hamas and Fatah, kicked off their reconciliation meetings in Cairo on Tuesday. Under Egypt’s auspice, the rival parties will discuss all issues hindering Palestinian unity, and will work together to pave the road for the national consensus government to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.

At the reconciliation table, the delegations will discuss vital administrative topics including the terms of the Cairo 2011 reconciliation accord, and the preparations for the implementation meeting which is to be held within 20 days. The implementation meeting is said to bring together all parties that have signed the agreement.

The delegations will also discuss the general elections, including the presidential and legislative elections, the judiciary system, status of public servants that were hired during the period from 2007-2017; including their salaries, security issues and administration of the Strip.

Furthermore, control over the borders and crossings with Egypt and Israel, as well as steps to reverse cuts made by the Palestinian Authority on Gaza’s budget will be looked into.

On the political level, the delegations will discuss the political vision they have of serving the Palestinian cause, despite any ideological differences, and they will also discuss the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the steps required for Hamas to join the organization.

In a statement to Palestine Voice radio station, Azzam al-Ahmad, member of the Central Committee of Fatah movement said, “The first key point on the agenda is to enable the government to assume its responsibilities in Gaza and to review and evaluate what has been achieved over the past week since the government’s visit to Gaza.”

Ahmad commented on the topic of controlling the crossings and borders with Egypt and Israel, saying, “Controlling the crossings and borders is an integral part of the Palestinian government's work.”

He added that the PA is present on Biet Hanoun and Karm Abu Salem crossings, but Hamas also established its own checkpoints on these crossings which needs to be sorted out.

The official spokesperson for Fatah, Osama al-Qawasmi, said on Tuesday that “Fatah is determined to overcome all obstacles to achieve national unity, and to end the chapter of division, without accepting half solutions.”

Musa Abu Marzouk, member of Hamas’ political bureau and member of Hamas’ delegation to Cairo, commented on the reconciliation talks; “The meetings in Cairo are extremely important, especially in light of the popular expectations from both parties.”

He added that “the success of these meetings [remains in the hands] of the Palestinian President.” Abu Marzouk called on Mahmoud Abbas to provide what is required and necessary to end the Palestinian rift.

Member of the Hamas political bureau, Hossam Badran, also said on Tuesday that “Hamas' current priority is the concerns and demands of the Palestinian people. We are keen to resolve the negative repercussions of the internal division in the Gaza Strip, as well as in the West Bank.” Badran also thanked Egypt for its auspice of the Palestinian dialogue.

Last week, Palestinian Prime Minister of the National Consensus Government formed in 2014, Rami al-Hamdallah, held his first cabinet meeting in Gaza after Hamas announced handing over the administration of the Gaza Strip to the unity government; a major step towards Palestinian reconciliation, and ending the Palestinian split.

The West Bank and the Gaza Strip remained politically and administratively divided since June 2007, when Hamas took over the Gaza Strip following days of street fighting.

On Monday, a high-profile delegation from Hamas, led by Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya al-Sinwar, left the Gaza Strip to Egypt through the Rafah border ahead of talks aimed at finalizing the reconciliation with rival Fatah movement. Another delegation from Hamas in the West Bank was supposed to be represented in the meetings, but the Israeli authorities banned its members from crossing through Al-Karama border with Jordan.

Fatah’s delegation to Cairo is led by Azzam al-Ahmad, and includes members of the central committee of Fatah; Rawhi Fattouh, Hussein al-Sheikh, Ahmad Hilles and the Director of the Palestinian Intelligence Service Majid Faraj, and Deputy Secretary of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, Fayez Abu Eita.