Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements continued their talks in Cairo with Egyptian security officials to discuss several issues focusing on establishing "long-term calm" in Gaza and improving the humanitarian and economic situation in the Strip.
Hamas announced an expanded meeting began in Cairo between the head of the politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, and the Secretary-General of the Jihad movement, Ziad al-Nakhala.
They discussed ways to strengthen their strategic relationship "to serve issues of the resistance and the Palestinian people." They also highlighted the attacks on the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, al-Aqsa Mosque, and the West Bank.
A Palestinian source familiar with the consultations said the meeting between the coalitions took place separately from the discussions that the leaders of each faction held separately with Egyptian security officials.
The leaders also met with a delegation representing the Democratic Reform Bloc, led by Palestinian leader Mohammed Dahlan.
The source, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, explained that the consultations between the factions and the Egyptian side focused on "seeking a long-term calm in Gaza" and "improving the humanitarian and economic situation in the Strip."
He pointed out that the officials lauded Egypt's role in maintaining calm in the sector and renewed the affirmation of their response to these efforts to spare the enclave from any Israeli escalation.
The source referred to a proposal to form a Palestinian "technocratic government" that would supervise, within a year, the parliamentary and presidential elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Hamas and Jihad initially approved the proposal, but they expressed to the Egyptian side their fear that the Palestinian Authority (PA) might obstruct the move.
The source pointed out that the Hamas movement feared President Mahmoud Abbas might hinder the proposal, citing his decision to appoint a new constitutional court.
Hamas does not recognize the legitimacy of the constitutional court and considers it a mere tool to circumvent the Palestinian President's decision to dissolve the elected parliament, confirming that Abbas does not intend to move forward with holding the elections.
On Thursday, four judges of the Supreme Constitutional Court took the oath before the President in Ramallah after Abbas issued a decision in May appointing new judges, following his previous decision to retire seven.
In 2018, the President dissolved the Palestinian Legislative Council, controlled by Hamas. The movement rejected the decision saying it "has no constitutional or legal value."
The last elections for the Legislative Council were held in 2006.
- Commodity entry
The source pointed out that the talks also addressed ways to facilitate the entry of goods and merchandise into the Gaza Strip in coordination with Egypt.
He indicated that the PA required supervision of the crossings to collect customs, which Hamas also rejected.
Egypt had invited the Hamas and Jihad leaders to a new round of consultations, which began last Saturday, after the arrival of the members of the delegations of the two movements, whether from the Gaza Strip or abroad.
The consultations mainly aim to maintain calm in the Gaza Strip and ensure that the security situation does not lead to another confrontation with Israel.
