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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.
A Palestinian man watches as Islamic Jihad militants take part in a rally celebrating what they say was a victory over Israel following a ceasefire in Gaza City August 29, 2014. An open-ended ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, took effect on Tuesday evening. It called for an indefinite halt to hostilities, the immediate opening of Gaza's blockaded crossings with Israel and Egypt, and a widening of the territory's fishing zone in the Mediterranean. Israel launched an offensive on July 8, with the declared aim of
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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.

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