For the Palestinians, a reconciliation meeting between Hamas and Fatah on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia may be the last chance to avoid civil war. Previous attempts to stem the bloodshed and reach common political platform have resulted in short-lived ceasefires and in a threat by President Mahmoud Abbas to call a new election.
The talks will be held in a guest palace overlooking the Kaaba, Mecca. Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, are accompanied by senior aides, the AP reported. The negotiations follow the bloodiest round yet in months of Hamas-Fatah fighting in Gaza, with 29 killed over four days before a new truce took hold Sunday.
“Both parties, Fatah and Hamas, know that not having an agreement in this round of talks means catastrophe,” said Kadoura Fares, a former Fatah cabinet minister who met with Mashaal last week on behalf of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Monday that the atmosphere might be tense at first because of the recent fighting, but he is heading to Mecca with a “sincere will” to reach a deal. "There may be obstacles but we confirm that we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity," Haniyeh said. "We have no choice but to reach an agreement."
Yasser Abed Rabbo, an Abbas aide, said the Saudi umbrella might make it easier for Hamas to moderate its views. “Otherwise, this last chance will be wasted,” he said.
