Brothers in Arms, Fatah and Hamas Agree to Resume Talks Again!

Fatah, Hamas Agree to Resume Talks

The Hamas and Fatah movements have agreed to hold the second round of talks in a bid to iron out their disagreements on inter-Palestinian reconciliation. The Fatah-Hamas negotiations "might be held in Damascus following indirect contacts with the Syrians to overcome a dispute with (acting Palestinian Authority Chief) Mahmoud Abbas," Xinhua quoted senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad on Sunday. The Fatah official further pointed out that the summit is expected to be held next week. The negotiations would focus on an Egyptian plan that was introduced to the two factions last year to put an end to the current political brawls and duels in the Palestinian territories. The leaders of the two main political factions in the Palestinian territories had previously agreed to hold their second meeting in the Syrian capital on 20th October. But the scheduled timing was delayed due to Hamas' rejection of Fatah's request to hold the negotiations in another Arab country. Meanwhile, Salah Bardaweel, a Hamas lawmaker in the Gaza Strip, brushed aside speculations that the recognition of Israel's existence on the part of Hamas movement would resolve the conflict and pave the way for reconciliation. “Fatah leaders should not waste their time searching for similarities in the political platforms of Hamas and Fatah,” Bardaweel said. Earlier this month, Abbas and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad traded barbs during the recent Arab summit in Libya, wherein the PA chief was accused of acquiescing to Israel and US demands to return to the negotiating table with Israel.