Palestinian Authority security forces are laying the final touches for the expected visit of Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah to Gaza Strip on Monday. In addition, several engineers and workers are finishing the work needed to prepare the residence of President Maamoud Abbas in Gaza where the government meeting will be held for the first time since 2014.
A security delegation arrived in Gaza from West Bank where a plan will be devised in a rarely-occurring coordination with Hamas’ security forces in Gaza.
The two delegations met to organize the forces and secure Hamdallah’s visit and his accompanying delegation of dozens of ministers and officials.
Security officials from the Palestinian Authority arrived in Gaza to coordinate several topics between the two parties as they attempt to solve the deep rift between them.
Security sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas security forces will secure the streets and the PM and ministers’ residences and the places they are expected to visit.
Hamdallah is expected to arrive in Gaza on Monday, while he will convene his Cabinet next Tuesday. Several bilateral meetings in Egypt between Hamas and Fatah will follow the visit to set a comprehensive plan which includes the formation of unity government and the agreement on elections.
Hamas had previously announced the dissolution of its administrative committee in Gaza. The movement welcomed the government’s visit to the strip.
Hamdallah will arrive in Gaza through Beit Yahoun crossing and will begin his visit with extensive meetings with Hamas leaders and other factions including Hamas’ chief Ismail Haniyyeh and Hamas’ leader in Gaza Yehya Sinwar. He will then tour the strip to oversee the debris and damage done by Israeli forces. The government will then convene in Abbas’ house.
Hamdallah stated that the government formed several ministerial committees to handle the security, crossing points, and handle all issues in the strip including the legal and civil cases that resulted from the division.
However, Hamdallah has several issues to handle, namely the security in Gaza controlled by Hamas and the movement’s former civil servants. But, the problems are expected to be handled calmly and peacefully to ensure the success of the reconciliation.
An Egyptian security delegation will also arrive in Gaza on Monday to ensure the smooth transition of the authority from Hamas’ to Hamdallah’s.
Hamas senior official Mushir al-Masri reiterated the important role of Egypt as a force to help ensure reconciliation.
Speaking at a political seminar, Masri said that division is no longer accepted especially amid the crises in the region and the challenges facing the Palestinian people and cause. He added that the reconciliation is a historic chance to end the rift which all Palestinian parties should seize as an opportunity.
Masri confirmed that the movement is committed to all agreements signed especially that of Cairo 2011. He added that the success of national reconciliation requires free political will that it is not affected by any foreign pressures.
