Hamas-Fatah Talks in Cairo End Without Breakthrough on Reconciliation
The first round of reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo ended without results, as Hamas balked at Fatah's demand to recognize Israel.
The first round of talks between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo ended without results, with parties expected to resume contacts after the elections in Israel on October 27, sources told the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Sunday.
According to the sources, Fatah conditioned the reconciliation on Hamas's political bureau signing seven points presented by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). These points include the recognition of the State of Israel.
Fatah requested a written response from Hamas accepting the points. Hamas agreed to some but strongly objected to recognizing Israel and accepting a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, while the Hamas delegation was led by Zaher Jabarin.
Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official abroad, stated that managing the current phase requires broad national consensus and participation. The talks in Cairo aimed to develop a strategy to confront Israel and reorganize Palestinian institutions.
