Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Hamas in an attempt to end four years of infighting that has complicated the realization of a Palestinian state. Due to the failure of peace talks with Israel, Abbas seeks reconciliation with Hamas, which ousted the forces of first of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and left him with a government that governs only the West Bank.
Hamas rules Gaza. Abbas's government is backed by the West, and Hamas, Iran, while the Palestinians want both Gaza and the West Bank are an integral part of their future country. For years, intermittent talks between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah movement have only encouraged a false optimism.
Yesterday's meeting in the West Bank is the first in which the President participates in so far this year. The aim was relatively modest: to arrange a tour of Abbas to Gaza for further talks. Abbas has not set foot in Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory. A senior member of Fatah, Azzam al-Ahmed, described the meeting as positive, but acknowledged that there was no progress.
In parallel, Hamas militants said they would halt their rocket attacks against Israel if the Jewish state also stop military action, after an increase in border violence raised fears of a possible escalation to war. Hamas spokesman, Ismail Rudwan said the militant leaders were "committed as much as the occupation (Israel) were committed" to meet a previous de facto truce, following a series of talks in Gaza that followed a week of attacks.
Israel's raids in Gaza this week have left nine dead, including five Hamas militants declared a response to more than 70 rockets fired by insurgents against the Jewish state. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has threatened a "broad exchange of blows" if the violence continues.
"We are attached to the national consensus (Palestinians) and committed to a return to calm all the time that the occupier (Israel) do the same" President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmoud Abbas, declared that no peace with Israel until all Palestinian prisoners and detainees are released from Israeli jails.
Abbas said the PA considers the issue of prisoners a priority and will not relent in its efforts to achieve freedom for all, according to official news agency Wafa. Abbas made the statement at a ceremony in Ramallah, after the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bil'in, Abdullah Abu Rahma, recently released from an Israeli prison.
Rahma he told Abbas that Palestinian prisoners supported his initiative to end internal political division and achieve a unity pact in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 
Hamas rules Gaza. Abbas's government is backed by the West, and Hamas, Iran, while the Palestinians want both Gaza and the West Bank are an integral part of their future country. For years, intermittent talks between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah movement have only encouraged a false optimism.
Yesterday's meeting in the West Bank is the first in which the President participates in so far this year. The aim was relatively modest: to arrange a tour of Abbas to Gaza for further talks. Abbas has not set foot in Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory. A senior member of Fatah, Azzam al-Ahmed, described the meeting as positive, but acknowledged that there was no progress.
In parallel, Hamas militants said they would halt their rocket attacks against Israel if the Jewish state also stop military action, after an increase in border violence raised fears of a possible escalation to war. Hamas spokesman, Ismail Rudwan said the militant leaders were "committed as much as the occupation (Israel) were committed" to meet a previous de facto truce, following a series of talks in Gaza that followed a week of attacks.
Israel's raids in Gaza this week have left nine dead, including five Hamas militants declared a response to more than 70 rockets fired by insurgents against the Jewish state. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has threatened a "broad exchange of blows" if the violence continues.
"We are attached to the national consensus (Palestinians) and committed to a return to calm all the time that the occupier (Israel) do the same" President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmoud Abbas, declared that no peace with Israel until all Palestinian prisoners and detainees are released from Israeli jails.
Abbas said the PA considers the issue of prisoners a priority and will not relent in its efforts to achieve freedom for all, according to official news agency Wafa. Abbas made the statement at a ceremony in Ramallah, after the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bil'in, Abdullah Abu Rahma, recently released from an Israeli prison.
Rahma he told Abbas that Palestinian prisoners supported his initiative to end internal political division and achieve a unity pact in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- US embassy cables: Israel expresses concern over Fatah (23/01/2011)
- False choice: Netanyahu says Abbas must choose peace w/ Hamas or Israel (29/03/2011)
- Gaza militants discuss 'possible truce' with Israel - AFP (26/03/2011)
- Palestinian election plan runs into trouble with Hamas (12/02/2011)
- Palestinians to renew unity talks (29/03/2011)
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