Hamas negotiator: Cairo dialogue seeks Palestinian unity, comprehensive reconciliation

CAIR, Oct. 20 (YPA) – Head of Hamas’s negotiating delegation and head of its office in the occupied West Bank, Zaher Jabarin, said Cairo recently hosted a national dialogue involving Hamas, Fatah and other Palestinian factions aimed at ending the division and unifying the Palestinian position on the basis of national partnership.

In remarks to Al-Shorouk newspaper, Jabarin outlined the ongoing consultations and prospects for reaching understandings to rebuild Palestinian institutions and pave the way for comprehensive reconciliation.

He stressed that Egyptian support is essential to the dialogue’s success, saying Cairo’s strategic position helped thwart a plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza despite the heavy price Egypt paid.

Jabarin described the talks as serious and responsible, seeking common ground for a comprehensive national program to address the challenges facing the Palestinian people.

He said the dialogue aims to establish genuine partnership through democratic, consensus-based institutions that include all political forces and factions, with elections serving as the main route to forming official Palestinian institutions.

Jabarin also referred to an in-depth meeting between a Hamas delegation and Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah, as well as representatives of Mohammed Dahlan’s Reformist Current. He said the discussions focused on ideas and steps to ensure the dialogue’s success and that developments were moving in a positive direction.

Jabarin said two rounds of talks with Fatah delegation head Jibril Rajoub in Cairo had been frank and serious, building on previous meetings.

He added that the parties had agreed to continue consultations in the coming period, building on the understandings and foundations for dialogue and partnership already reached.

“There is no break in relations between us and our brothers in Fatah,” Jabarin said, noting that communication between the two movements remains ongoing. He reaffirmed Hamas’s readiness to resolve disagreements, saying the movement had shown flexibility and remained committed to establishing a unified Palestinian body to confront threats to the Palestinian cause and Israeli occupation efforts to eliminate it.

He added that the current inter-factional dialogue centers on national partnership in Palestinian institutions and programs.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad, he said, had clearly expressed their intention to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and share responsibility and decision-making in a way that serves the Palestinian people’s interests.

Jabarin said some international parties oppose Palestinian unity and inclusive partnership in national institutions, but stressed that efforts were underway to remove obstacles in a positive and serious spirit.

He said the current stage required unity, given Israeli occupation’s intention to exterminate everyone.

@@