Hamas says it met with Fatah in Cairo to “talk about the war in Gaza”

In a video statement, Hamas said it had met in Cairo with Fatah, confirming reports that had circulated over the weekend that Egypt was hosting talks between the two groups with a view to forming a a committee responsible for managing the Gaza Strip after the war.

“A meeting was organized with the brothers of the Fatah movement at the invitation of Egypt to discuss various national issues including the war in Gaza”said a senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdane, in a video message.

Hamas and Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, have been rivals for decades and clashed in 2007. Since then, the Palestinian leadership has been divided between the Palestinian Authority, led by Fatah which exercises limited power in the West Bank, and the Islamist movement which controls the Gaza Strip.

The two sides discussed “the formation of a body responsible for monitoring the affairs of Gaza and its needs in various areas” while awaiting the creation of a government of national consensus, said Mr. Hamdane, referring to a meeting of “positive and frank”.

Hamas reported a similar meeting last month, also in Cairo. In July, he announced the signing in Beijing of an agreement“national unity” with other Palestinian organizations, including Fatah. The Islamist movement will continue “meetings and contacts with [ses] brothers of Fatah, and with all Palestinian movements”said the Hamas official.