A Palestinian source confirmed to Israel Hayom that there are contacts to hold a meeting in Ankara between Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is on an official visit to Turkey, and a delegation of senior Hamas figures, headed by Ismail Haniyeh, head of the organization's political bureau.
According to the source, the request to organize the meeting between the two sides came from Musa Abu Marzouq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, and the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, who responded to the request. "This is a positive initiative. We are in direct contact, and it was agreed that there will be a meeting as part of the consultations being made for the success of the conference in Cairo at the end of the month," he said.
Musa Abu Marzouq, Photo: AP
The Palestinian media quoted senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad as saying that "Mahmoud Abbas will meet later in Turkey with a Hamas delegation." At the same time, the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds reported earlier that preparations and arrangements were underway for a meeting that, if held, would discuss several issues ahead of the Egyptian-sponsored conference in Cairo on July 30 between the Palestinian factions. Hamas confirmed yesterday that it accepted the invitation.
Earlier this week, Israel Hayom reported that the PA chairman was examining the establishment of a unity government with Hamas, and that in the talks in Cairo there would be an effort to advance steps and understandings to advance such a move. However, it should be noted that the gaps between Fatah and Hamas are still large, and the reconciliation efforts made over the years have failed.
Hamas operatives in Gaza, archive, photo: AP
If the meeting goes ahead, it would be a rare event to take place in the shadow of the rivalry and division that has prevailed between Fatah and Hamas since the latter took over the Gaza Strip in a coup in 2007. The last time Abbas and Haniyeh met face-to-face was during a rare meeting in Algeria in July last year on the sidelines of the country's Independence Day celebrations.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been abroad for the past few years and is based in Doha, Qatar. Other members of the organization's political bureau abroad are also in Qatar, skipping from there to Lebanon and Turkey.
Security preparations in Jenin ahead of Mahmoud Abbas' visit || Arab networks
The Palestinian Authority chairman arrived in Turkey yesterday for a political meeting with President Erdogan. Palestinian sources said that the visit was part of the consultations and ongoing contact with Ankara, and that the two leaders would discuss several issues, including Turkish support for the Palestinian cause, and strengthening cooperation in trade, economy and other areas. We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us