Palestinian Factions Meet in Egypt to Discuss Reconciliation amidst Escalating West Bank Violence
CAIRO (AP) – In an attempt to find a solution to the ongoing division between Hamas and Fatah, Palestinian factions convened on Sunday in Egypt for a one-day meeting. However, with previous reconciliation attempts having failed, expectations for the meeting were low.
The closed-door meeting, which took place in the Egyptian city of el-Alamein, saw the participation of leaders from both Hamas and Fatah. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who initiated the session, described it as a “first and significant step” towards ending the longstanding division. Despite this statement, no indication was given about the topics discussed during the meeting.
The meeting comes at a time when violence in the occupied West Bank has surged between Israel and Palestinian militants. Israel has been conducting near-nightly raids in Palestinian areas, citing a need to combat militancy. These raids have resulted in some of the worst fighting in nearly two decades in the West Bank, with Palestinians claiming that they undermine their security forces and weaken their leadership.
For Abbas, the meeting provided an opportunity to project an image of control and statesmanship to Palestinians and the international community. He currently faces low popularity at home and limited maneuverability due to Israeli incursions. The meeting was also attended by Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since violently taking over in 2007. The coastal enclave has faced a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
While joining the meeting, Hamas aimed to demonstrate to Gazans that they are working to mend the rift, even if no immediate changes occur as a result. However, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a key group involved in the fighting with Israel, boycotted the gathering to protest the detentions of its members by the Palestinian Authority.
Egypt has been acting as a mediator for years, attempting to end the infighting between Palestinian factions. The country has also helped broker truces between Israel and Hamas during multiple rounds of fighting.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the outcome of the meeting remains uncertain. However, the fact that the factions were willing to come together and engage in dialogue is seen as a notable development and a glimmer of hope for potential reconciliation.