The Hamas movement approved the reconciliation agreement reached with Fatah and confirmed that it will be presented to all national factions for discussion, noting that the bilateral talks, though important, are an introduction, not a substitute, to a comprehensive national dialogue.
Last week, the two movements agreed to hold parliamentary and later, presidential, elections, followed by the election of the National Council of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) within six months.
Hamas stressed the need to create the necessary atmosphere to prepare and hold the polls and discuss all pending issues to ensure the success of the reconciliation in order to achieve national unity.
In the statement Saturday, the movement said that political partnership among all Palestinian factions is a strategic and obligatory choice for Hamas, Fatah and all other Palestinian political powers.
“There is no alternative to unity, and it is the only guarantee for achieving our people's dream of liberation and return to their homeland.”
The movement believed that national partnership can be realized by “rebuilding the political system on sound democratic foundation through free and transparent elections.”
The Hamas leadership will work to achieve partnership and accomplish unity, so that Palestinians can stand together against Israeli occupation, read the statement.
The group also called for the immediate formation of a unified command, calling for a comprehensive Palestinian dialogue with the participation of all movements as soon as possible.
Hamas' approval of the agreement comes after Fatah leadership accepted the deal, which means it will be discussed with other Palestinian factions before President Mahmoud Abbas officially issues the election decree.
Fatah said the Central Committee unanimously approved the deal made with Hamas, stressing that the path of national partnership is a “strategic and irreversible choice.”
The Central Committee authorized Jibril Rajoub, Rawhi Fattouh and Azzam Al-Ahmad to continue to work on the electoral process in order to issue relevant decrees as soon as possible.
Rajoub, the secretary-general of Fatah’s Executive Committee, said that the committee approved the formation of a unified leadership responsible for developing and activating the popular resistance and national activities in the homeland and the diaspora.
“We need to agree on the electoral law and the mechanism for holding the elections and all other details before a presidential decree is issued to schedule the polls,” said Fatah deputy chief, Mahmoud al-Aloul.
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