Hamas’ decision to dissolve its Administrative Committee in Gaza Strip was welcomed by several international and regional parties, and calls for a real Palestinian reconciliation.
In a statement it issued on Monday, the League of Arab States welcomed the step, saying that the two main Palestinian movements, Hamas and Fatah, highly raised the Palestinian interest.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit praised the Egyptian efforts that “paved the way” for this achievement, saying that this step will embrace the Israeli right-wing government, which frequently exploits the Palestinian division as a pretext to filibuster, according to the statement.
The UN delegate to the Middle East, Nikolai Miladinov, praised the decision, calling on all parties to seize this opportunity to achieve the unity of the Palestinian people. He also praised the Egyptian role in the negotiations, expressing the UN readiness to support the exerted efforts in this regard.
President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the decision and allowing the reconciliation government to carry out its duties in the strip.
Egypt, Turkey, and other regional parties welcomed the decision.
On Sunday, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced dissolving its Administrative Committee in Gaza Strip in order to end the escalation with Fatah, which the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, belongs to, according to Hamas’ official statement.
Hamas has been ruling Gaza Strip since 2007, following its victory of the legislative elections in 2006, which resulted in a bloody tension between the two main Palestinian movements.
According to the statement, Hamas will allow the reconciliation government to carry out its duties in the 360 km strip.
In 2014, Hamas and Fatah agreed on the formation of a reconciliation government. Hamas, however, continued ruling Gaza by the its shadow government, known as the Administrative Committee.
The statement includes Hamas’ agreement to hold the general elections and to respond to the Egyptian call for dialogue with Fatah about means of implementing the 2011 Cairo Agreement. The statement adds the necessity of forming a unity government of all Palestinian movements that signed the agreement.
Hamas stressed that this step comes as a response to the Egyptian efforts, especially that of the Egyptian intelligence. The last three months witnessed visits of Hamas delegations to Egypt to hold discussions with Egyptian officials.
In May, Hamas released a new political declaration, announcing cutting off any administrative or organisational relationship with the Egypt-based and now-banned Muslim Brotherhood group.
