‘Hezbollah model will not be tolerated in Gaza’

Abbas’ three conditions for rapprochement with Hamas aimed at sidelining Qatar, Dahlan

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah arrives in Gaza today on his first visit to territory since 2015, in a fresh attempt to reconcile with Hamas, which rules the poverty-stricken, Israeli-blockaded territory.

Hamas deputy political chief Mousa Abu Marzouq said in an interview last month with panArab newspaper that decisions to fight or make peace with Israel should be in agreement jointly with Fatah in the future.

But Abu Marzouq asserted that Hamas would continue to retain its armoury. “The subject of the resistance’s weapons ... will not be on the table for dialogue.”

However, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has made it clear that he would not accept the “Hezbollah model” in Gaza.

reported over the weekend that Abbas has put forward three conditions for reconciliation with Hamas: (1) The organisation dismantle its military wing; (2) There is no foreign involvement in Gaza’s governance; (3) All development funds are channelled through the Palestinian government.

The Israeli daily quoted one PNA official as saying, “The Lebanese model cannot be applied in the [Occupied] Territories. If there is no unified rule and administration by institutions subservient to the rule of law, as in every normal country, there can be no talk of true national reconciliation.”

Following these comments, Abu Marzouq sought clarifications from Abbas and the PNA.

Officials on both sides of the Palestinian divide, and in other Arab countries say former Gaza security chief, Fatah’s Mohammad Dahlan, is behind the push for détente with Hamas.

But Palestinian National Authority officials have also said that Abbas’s three conditions are aimed at keeping both Dahlan and Qatar out of the equation.

Dahlan’s return to prominence in Palestinian politics could have a major impact on the future of the PNA.

The Hamas-Fatah talks are intended to prepare for a transfer of power in the Gaza Strip from Hamas to the PNA.

Short of funds and friends, Hamas has very few options but to make concessions after Turkey and Qatar, its chief backers, cut back on their funding due to shifting tides in the region. Timeline of relations:

Hamas takes part for the first time in legislative elections for the Palestinian National Authority and beats Fatah, which has been in control for 10 years. A unity government is installed with Hamas taking key posts.

Simmering tensions between the two erupt into bloody clashes early 2007.

After a week of violence in Gaza in June, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fires the unity government and declares a state of emergency in the territory.

But Hamas routs forces loyal to Fatah and takes control of the strip, a move Abbas calls a coup.

In April, Fatah and Hamas say they have reached an understanding to create an interim government of independents to prepare for elections. Implementation of the deal is repeatedly delayed, however.

The rivals strike a prisoner-exchange accord in January. The following month they agree that Abbas should lead an interim government, but the decision is disputed within Hamas and never applied.

2006: 2007: 2011: 2012: 2014:

In April, the Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Hamas finally agree on a unity government.

It is sworn in on June 2 but fails to exercise authority over Gaza where Abbas charges Hamas has set up a parallel administration to his own internationally recognised government. The unity government falls apart later in the year.

In a stark revision of its founding charter, Hamas eases its stance on Israel in May, after having long called for its destruction. In September, facing mounting financial strains Hamas dissolves its “administrative committee” seen as a rival Palestinian government. Abbas took draconian steps to choke Hamas financially by withholding employee salaries and cutting electricity supplies.

2017: