Fatah-Hamas reconciliation deal may hamper peace process, warns Israeli Prime Minister

Jerusalem : Hamas, who has been raising attacks on the Israelis, is a murderous organization in the Gaza Strip however, Israel will never accept the victory of the Fatah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the alliance between Fatah and Hamas will put an end to Israel’s peace talks. However, Palestinian President Mehboob Abbas in the West Bank, has maintained a firm stand regarding the reconciliation deal with Hamas; soon he will be on a tour to the Gaza Strip.

Internationally, it is necessary for Palestine to have a Palestinian Authority to acquire recognition as a nation. In the following two months, elections have been scheduled in two areas of West Bank and Gaza strip of Palestine. On the backdrop of these elections, the Fatah from West bank, known for its moderate policies had initiated a dialogue with Hamas, the radical Palestinian organization in the Gaza Strip. Subsequently, in the last week, reconciliation progressed between Fatah and Hamas mediated by Egypt in Cairo.

Two days ago, Egypt had announced that the negotiations between Fatah and Hamas had been successful. Following the reconciliation, Fatah and Hamas will form an allied government in the combined elections. By 1st December the West Bank in the Gaza Strip, currently under possession of Hamas will be handed over to the Palestinian government. European countries have claimed that this might simplify the election process in Palestine.

However, Israel does not support the Hamas-Fatah agreement. Israel wants to establish peace with its neighboring countries. The agreement between Hamas and Fatah can be a threat to efforts to establish peace in this area, criticized Netanyahu. In addition, Hamas which is a terrorist organization has announced annihilation of Israel. Netanyahu clarified that the Palestinian alliance will not have approval unless Hamas downs the weapons and abandons the anti-Israel role. Israel had already declared Hamas as a terrorist organization. Moreover, Israel has taken a firm stand against having any dialogue with Hamas who has been infiltrating via underground tunnels and firing rockets on the Israelis.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mehboob Abbas has welcomed the reconciliation with Hamas. Abbas clarified that he will not withdraw the alliance for peace talks with Israel. Similarly, the administration has ordered deployment of three thousand police personnel in the Gaza Strip.