They can't seem to agree even with each other. -- DM)

Fatah said in a statement that it is ready and willing to instantly implement what was agreed upon and signed in regards to reconciliation between the two rival Palestinian factions, but stressed that Hamas was preventing progress.

Hamas Fata logos(MaanImages/file)

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Fatah on Wednesday accused Hamas of evading reconciliation under "feeble" pretexts and excuses.

Fatah said in a statement that it is ready and willing to instantly implement what was agreed upon and signed in regards to reconciliation between the two rival Palestinian factions, but stressed that Hamas was preventing progress.

Fatah spokesman Ahmad Assaf said in the statement that after Hamas premier Ismail Haniyeh's phone call to President Abbas as well as Azzam al-Ahmad's phone call to Haniyeh to "accelerate the implementation of reconciliation, … we again feel that Hamas is trying to re-open files which were previously agreed upon."

"They talk about having new talks and setting new terms," he added.

Assaf said that Haniyeh requested more time because Hamas leadership wanted more time for discussion.

Assaf accused Hamas of setting new terms and condition that were "more obstacles and obstructions," and that "Hamas aims to gain more time" in order to "guarantee its sole control on the Gaza Strip in any future reconciliation process."

Assaf added that al-Ahmad called on Haniyeh not to put any obstacles in the face of the Fatah delegation that visited Gaza.

The statements come amid ongoing unity talks between the two factions, only days after a Fatah delegation visited Gaza and met with top Hamas officials.

The division between the two Palestinian factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.

In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.

The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.