HANIYEH SAYS DOOR OPEN FOR FATAH MEMBERS TO RETURN TO GAZA

Gaza City, 5 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/7 January 2014 (MINA) – Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyehopened the door on Monday for members of the rival Fatah movement who had fled Gaza in 2007 to return to the coastal enclave.

Speaking to a press conference, Haniyeh said all Fatah members who left the territory in 2007 are welcome to return, except those facing trials.

The prime minister said the Interior Ministry would release some of the Fatah members who were arrested on politically-related charges, asserting that the number of such prisoners is minimal.

“The year 2014 would be the year of Palestinian reconciliation, and we are fully ready to respond to all positive messages coming from our brothers from the West Bank,” Haniyeh said.

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The reconciliation file, he added, would still be under Egypt’s sponsorship, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

In 2007, Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip routed troops loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and seized control over enclave.

Continued conflict between Hamas and Fatah, the latter of which holds the Palestinian presidency, obliged Hamas to form its own government in Gaza, while Fatah did the same in the West Bank.

In 2011, Hamas and Fatah hammered out a reconciliation deal under Egyptian sponsorship. The following year, the two sides agreed to form a unity government headed up by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to prepare for parliamentary polls. The agreement, however, was never implemented.

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Despite their vast differences, particularly over peace talks with Israel, both governments nevertheless maintain considerable coordination, particularly in the education and health sectors.

Last week, Haniyeh said that his government would soon issue decisions aimed at paving the way for reconciliation with West Bank-based political rival Fatah.

The prime minister did not, however, elaborate on the nature of the decisions his government planned to take to end Palestinian political division. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).