GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas remains committed to Palestinian reconciliation, contrary to reports suggesting the deal might fall apart because of Israeli pressure in the wake of the kidnapping and murder of Israeli and Palestinian teenagers. Strong Israeli opposition has largely rendered the Palestinian unity government unable to bring about desired changes on the ground, despite its receiving endorsements from the European Union and the United States.

After the announcement of the government, bringing an end to seven years of division between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel tried but failed to stymie international backing and recognition of it. It has, however, succeeded in exploiting the kidnapping and killing of the three teenagers to incite against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

In light of recent crises, Gaza residents seem skeptical of the possibility that Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s government will succeed in achieving true reconciliation and restore unity between the two territories. Prominent among the crises are the government’s inability to pay the wages of former Hamas government employees and the emergence of public disputes between the factions over the issue.

Hamas official Bassem Naim expressed his displeasure over the unity government's handling of the salaries issue. He thought the matter would be easily overcome, but instead, he believes, its resolution was intentionally delayed out of fear of Israeli pressure. Naim told Al-Monitor, “Israel was incapable of preventing reconciliation between Palestinians, in light of the clear European support afforded to the new government. Still, President Abbas seemed uninterested in moving forward with achieving unity for irrational reasons.”