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.