An Egyptian security delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip to contain tension between the Fatah and Hamas movements, in wake of mutual accusations over the past few days that threatened to hinder the reconciliation agreement reached between the two sides in Cairo in October.
The delegation, which arrived through the Beit Hanoun crossing, included General Hammam Abu Zeid of the General Intelligence Service and Consul General Khaled Sami, and will examine the procedures of empowering the national consensus government. It will also ensure that the Palestinian ministers are handed over their respective ministries and are able to carry out their duties as agreed in Cairo.
The Egyptian security delegation held separate meetings with the deputy head of the government of consensus, Ziad Abu Omar, and the leader of Hamas in the sector, Yehya al-Senwar, to discuss the latest developments and the means to prevent any obstacles that might impede the government’s work and the reconciliation sponsored by Egypt.
Meanwhile, Hamas politburo member Khalil al-Hayya said on Monday that during his meetings with Fatah officials in Cairo, his movement had asked for concurrent elections for the presidency, parliament and national assembly, to be held before the end of next year.
In a press conference held in Gaza, Hayya called on all politicians to “stop dealing with the issue of the resistance’s weapons,” saying: “This is a red line... The weapons will be moved to the West Bank to fight the Occupation; it is our right to resist the occupation until it ends.”
He added that Hamas had called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to “conduct the necessary consultations with all parties to hold comprehensive elections simultaneously.”
He stressed in this regard Hamas’ readiness to facilitate any move related to the elections and to commit to any date set for this purpose.
While urging Fatah not to respond to any pressure or temptation from any party trying to obstruct the achievement of reconciliation, Hayya underlined the need to fully implement the Cairo Agreement, which was signed in 2011.
He also asked Egypt to “create a regional and international environment to embrace reconciliation”, highlighting the need to provide political support at the local, Arab, regional and international levels.
On the security level, Hayya pointed out that his movement “wants to complete the security file in line with the Cairo Agreement”, and asked Fatah to send a security delegation from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip to discuss the security issue.
