Palestinians hope for Hamas-Fatah agreement on ending fighting in Mecca meeting

Palestinians are counting on an upcoming meeting to be held on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia's Mecca between President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Damascus-based exiled Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal.

Following the furious gunbattles in Gaza between militants from rival Fatah and Hamas movements, which has claimed the lives of 60 people since Jan. 25, the Palestinians are eager to see an end to their political, economical and security crisis.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman from President Abbas' Ramallah office told reporters on Saturday that Abbas would leave on Monday to Qatar first, and then on Tuesday he would arrive in Saudi Arabia for the meeting with Mashaal.

"President Abbas and Mashaal will discuss ending the ongoing inter-fighting in the Gaza Strip and the formation of a national unity government," said Abu Rudeineh.

Meanwhile, Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the Hamas-led government, also announced that Prime Minister Ismail Haneya will head a Hamas delegation to Mecca, where mainstream movements of Hamas and Fatah are to settle differences on forming a unity government. Haneya will leave for Mecca in the coming two days upon an invitation by Saudi King Abdullah, said Hamad, adding his departure depends on the opening of Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt which has been closed and controlled by Israel since last June after Palestinian militants kidnapped an Israeli soldier.

Following its overwhelming victory it achieved in January 2006 legislative elections, Hamas formed a government in late March. However, it failed to end a world embargo imposed on its government and the status of security chaos in the Palestinian territories due to its refusal to accept three international conditions.

The world has imposed three famous conditions, namely the recognition of Israel, the recognition of signed agreements with Israel and the condemnation of violence, on the Hamas-led government in order to end the embargo.

"I believe the reason for all this bad situation is that Hamas is going against the current and challenges the whole world. The problem would be easily resolved if Hamas recognized the world's requirements," said Hazen Abu Shanab, a Gaza analyst.

"In spite of all pressure exerted by President Abbas, Fatah movement, several Arab countries and the international community on Hamas movement, it refused to positively deal with these requirements," Abu Shanab added.

Abbas has insisted that a national unity government that ends the imposed embargo should be formed. Otherwise, he would call for early presidential and legislative elections.

His threats had blown up a wave of inter-fighting between his Fatah movement and the Hamas that leads the government.

"After this wave of violence and fighting between Fatah and Hamas, we began to believe that there is no possibility for a solution that ends the fighting and end the crisis," said Jamal Radwan, a Palestinian store keeper from Gaza.

Fatah and Hamas movements have had their own armed wings, guns and militants. They are leading a war and a campaign of incitement and provocations.

On Jan. 25, Fatah militants launched a roadside bomb attack on a vehicle that belongs to Hamas-led Interior Ministry's Auxiliary Force. Clashes then renewed and 35 people were killed.

In the night on Jan. 30, the Egyptians intervened and a cease- fire agreement was reached between Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas and Fatah's Rawhi Fattouh who President Mahmoud Abbas sponsored the agreement.

"What they agree upon on tables of dialogue is completely different from what happens on the ground," said Sa'eed, who was shot in his leg and shoulder in the fighting erupted in Gaza City on Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, Hamas militants carried out an armed attack on the convoy of caravans guarded by Abbas' Presidential Guards in central Gaza Strip, claiming that those convoys contained arms.

Then clashes were renewed again when Abbas' Presidential Guards attacked the Islamic University. At least 25 more people were killed, while life has totally stooped in the Gaza Strip.

"The differences between the two is not just ideological, it is psychological, religious and social. Hatred, grudge and rancor had grown up into the hearts of both sides' supporters and militants," said Hazem Hammad, a Gaza store keeper.

Referring to the coming Mecca meeting, Hammad said that "we hope that this time Abbas and Mashaal would agree on a national unity government. It is the last chance for them to agree, and if they fail, the Palestinians would get into an endless civil war."

It was learnt that the differences between Hamas and Fatah on forming a national unity government are related to two major issues, control on major portfolios and the expression of whether to respect or be committed to the signed agreements.

Eassa al-Nashar, a prominent Hamas leader in Gaza said that the parties had almost resolved 96 percent of their differences, adding "Hamas hopes that Mashaal and Abbas would reach an agreement in Mecca."

Sources closed to Hamas said that Hamas decided to make concessions and agreed to offer the portfolios of interior, foreign and finance to independent Palestinians, not affiliated to either Fatah or Hamas.

The sources also added that it was agreed to the fact that Haneya will remain the post of premier of the national unity government and his deputy will be from Fatah movement.

The remaining point that needs to be agreed upon between Mashaal and Abbas is the question of whether Hamas would respect or be committed to the signed agreements.

"If Abbas and Mashaal agree on this point, I believe that there will be a breaking through and this would give a push to all other outstanding issues, mainly the abducted Israeli soldier and the installed peace process," said Abu Shanab.

Source: Xinhua