Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts         

    by Saud Abu Ramadan

    GAZA, April 30 (Xinhua) -- It has become obvious that the Palestinians, mainly who live in the poor and besieged Gaza Strip ruled by Islamic Hamas movement, have lost hope that the reconciliation dialogue between the rival factions would lead to a solution.

    Following a long-term Egyptian preparations and contacts with the factions to hold the dialogue in Cairo, four rounds of face-to-face intensive and marathon sessions of dialogue between Fatah and Hamas ended with substantial differences remain unresolved.

    Since the dialogue was launched in Cairo in March, four sessions have been already held to discuss fundamental issues, including security, elections, forming a unity government and reforming the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

    "If Fatah and Hamas don't reach a deal until January 25 next year and form a unity government, this will mean that the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and West Bank will collapse," said Ibrahim Abrash, a Palestinian analyst, adding "This is exactly what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants."

    Abrash expected that both Fatah and Hamas would continue "their endless" dialogue on the basic issues until the end of January. "Simply they are leading a dialogue of infinity."

    "Fatah waits for Jan. 25 to announce that the four-year legislative term of Hamas is over and will call for new elections, and Hamas is waiting for this date to say the presidential term of Mahmoud Abbas is over," said Abrash.

    Palestinian observers warned that if the Palestinian rivals don't reach an agreement until Jan. 25, "this would mean that the Palestinians would get into a dark tunnel, and their political future will be vague; their daily life will be miserable."

    "After Jan. 25, the Palestinian people will be without a president and without a legislative council (parliament). In other words, the Palestinian territories would witness a complete political vacuum," said Ahmed Mattar, a Palestinian political academic.

    He said that no one knows what is the best way to reach a solution, adding "the people's life here has become miserable and it would get worse and worse as long as the two sides still disagree and play their dirty games."

    Fatah and Hamas movements agree on the political solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, that both accept the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the territories occupied by Israel in the war of 1967. But they disagree on the methods and ways of how to achieve such a solution.

    The two sides also struggle on power. Hamas wants to rule the Palestinian territories, after it took control of the Gaza Strip by force in June 2007, while Fatah does it best to prevent such attempt.

    Leaders of Fatah and Hamas who held this week a fourth round of dialogue decided to resume it on May 16. They did the same thing during the last three rounds of dialogue, when they meet for two or three days and then postpone the dialogue, saying "we need more time for consultation."

    Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said that his movement wants to reach an agreement as soon as possible, adding "but an agreement won't be reached as long as Fatah doesn't change its demands."

    Fatah wants Hamas to accept forming a unity government that commits itself to the international requirements, mainly recognizing Israel and the signed peace agreements. Hamas rejected these demands and said it would only respect these commitments.

    Azzam el-Ahmed, a senior Fatah negotiator accused Hamas movement of being led by foreign forces in reference to Syria and Iran.

    He said that "if such foreign intervention stops, the Palestinians will be able to reach a reconciliation agreement immediately."

    "We are really fed up with this endless dialogue. Our life has become so difficult. Israel imposes a closure on Gaza, while Hamas and Fatah don't agree on anything, only God can help us by creating a miracle," said Khamis Abu Sultan, a Gaza unemployed resident.

    He voiced angry on both Fatah and Hamas, saying "Fatah and Hamas are ruling and enjoying, while the poor people are always paying the heavy prices."