Four days after Palestinian factions arrived in Cairo for conciliation talks, the internal dialogue on Saturday reached an impasse as Hamas presented the Fatah movement with impossible demands perceived by Ramallah as a clear existential threat. Meanwhile, the Fatah delegation, more than a good-faith participant in the talks, has sought a foothold in the process of Gaza's rehabilitation by seeking control of the money-transfer mechanism to the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave.
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According to a document published by UK-based news site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Hamas envisions the inclusion of itself, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups in the PLO and the establishment of a temporary two-year council that will eventually become the new Palestinian leadership – a type of "supreme" governing body whose purpose is to "lead the struggle" against Israel in all sectors. The document also calls for a popular armed uprising, particularly within the Green Line, or Israel proper. Essentially, it is a demand by Hamas to seize control of the PLO and for the Palestinian Authority's willful surrender.
Not surprisingly, the PA's representatives rejected Hamas' demands outright and insisted that the starting point for the talks be the establishment of a "national recovery government" or a government in which Hamas will agree to the PLO's plans and international resolutions.
According to Arab news outlets, Egyptian mediators have come to understand from Fatah's representatives that incorporating the terrorist groups in the PLO would be a particularly problematic venture, as Hamas and its allies will seek to force the "principle of armed resistance" as a permanent option, in contravention of the Oslo Accords and other agreements with Israel. The move, consequently, would force the PA to face international isolation. The PA delegation even warned the Egyptian hosts of the ramifications of a resounding Hamas victory in any election.
More than anything, it appears the PA is afraid of losing its international standing and first wants to secure benefits from the Democratic administration in the United States, including the opening of a US consulate in east Jerusalem, the PLO mission in Washington, and the renewal of financial aid to the UN body in charge of the Palestinian refugee issue, UNRWA. In other words, its meddling in Gaza is meant to present it as a force for moderation that can be worked with and therefore must be strengthened as much as possible.
Hence the PA's demand to control all the funds earmarked for rebuilding Gaza, contrary to Hamas' proposal of forming a rehabilitation committee representative of "all the factions."
Despite the deep schisms and sour atmosphere in the Egyptian capital, the Palestinian factions could extend their stay in an effort to reach an agreement, as the international community, including Arab states, wants to use Gaza's rehabilitation as a stepping stone for a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. The vision is a massive, 10-year rehabilitation initiative under international supervision, on the condition that a ceasefire with Israel is upheld.
It appears, therefore, that Hamas intends to torpedo the temporary Egyptian-mediated ceasefire with Israel in favor of a more agreeable intermediary, such as Qatar. Senior Hamas officials made it clear last week that they refuse to link a prisoner exchange with Israel to Gaza's reconstruction. Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that Hamas has informed the Egyptians that it will not allow economic and humanitarian pressure against Gaza and for the rehabilitation process to be delayed.
Amid the backdrop, the terrorist group stressed to the Egyptians that it was willing to reignite hostilities with Israel. Hamas also delivered a message to the Egyptians that any intervention by the PA in Gaza's rehabilitation or attempt to control aid money will push the terrorist group to violate the ceasefire with Israel.
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