Hamas Bans Fatah From Open-Square Gaza Rally
Palestinian reconciliation talks have hit another snag, with Hamas rejecting a Fatah request to stage a large open-air rally in Gaza to commemorate its anniversary, Abeer Ayoub reports from Gaza.
![Nic574040 A Palestinian flag flutters next to the Fatah party's yellow flag as a student stands by a window during a rally celebrating the political unity deal between Gaza rulers Hamas and the rival party Fatah at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City on May 8, 2011. AFP PHOTO/MAHMUD HAMS (Photo credit should read MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2012/q4/Fatah_Hamas.jpg/Fatah_Hamas.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=vSr7cZx_)
Soon after the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza was over, there were positive indicators for finally achieving national Palestinian reconciliation. As expected, however, the optimism was short lived as differences have again began to resurface between the two rivals, Fatah and Hamas.
The optimism was an inevitable result following the two parties’ cooperation in the field to resist Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza. Both factions showed readiness to return to the negotiation table.