Hamas and Fatah start unity talks in Cairo

cairo — Unity talks between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas in Cairo began on an optimistic note on Tuesday, with a top Hamas delegate saying he was “full of hope” for a roadmap to reconciliation.

The Western-backed mainstream Fatah party lost control of Gaza to Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the West and Israel, in fighting in 2007.

But last month Hamas agreed to cede powers in Gaza to President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatahbacked government in a deal mediated by Egypt.

Cairo subsequently set up this week’s three-day talks on the implementation of further steps towards unity.

“We meet in Cairo full of hope to draw and lay down a road map entitled a national reconciliation,” senior Hamas delegate Izzat Reshiq said on his Twitter account.

“Unity and national reconciliation among all our Palestinian people is our strategic option to move forwards.”

Azzam Ahmad, one of the leaders of the Fatah delegation, said negotiations would also cover the running of government ministries in Gaza. —