Islamic Jihad takes mediator role between Hamas, Fatah
Islamic Jihad is considering joining a Hamas-led administrative committee in Gaza, as it breaks its silence in a bid to resolve the Hamas-Fatah feud that's crippling the Gaza Strip.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian Islamic Jihad has ended its silence on the escalating feud between Hamas and Fatah and is trying to position itself as a mediator to end the dispute that is delaying Gaza’s reconstruction after last summer’s devastating war with Israel.
Islamic Jihad is considering a Hamas proposal for an administrative committee to be formed in the Gaza Strip. Leaked minutes of a Jan. 11 meeting between Hamas deputy leader Mousa Abu Marzouk and other Palestinian factions, with the exception of Fatah, circulated in local media. During the meeting, Hamas suggested forming an administration committee to support the consensus government and implement the reconciliation agreement. According to the reports, leftist factions rejected the idea of the committee, while Islamic Jihad has been more open to the idea.
Islamic Jihad’s leadership initially showed hesitation toward the committee proposed by Hamas. But based on Al-Monitor’s interviews, this hesitation is starting to turn into a consensus, especially since several recent meetings were held between Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other factions. These meetings, which were not made public, focused on the electricity crisis and the failure of the Ramallah government to meet Gaza’s demands, according to information obtained by Al-Monitor from an Islamic Jihad source.
Sheikh Nafez Azzam, an Islamic Jihad's political bureau member who was present at the meeting with Abu Marzouk, told Al-Monitor that they are now in the midst of consultation on the committee's powers and role, as well as points of convergence and divergence with the government. Azzam stressed the importance of extreme honesty during these meetings as the best solution to all pending Palestinian issues.
