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Hamas delegates find welcome at Fatah conference, but not trust

Despite the recent civility between Fatah and Hamas, it will take more than a Hamas delegation at Fatah's general conference to repair their nine years of division, as mutual distrust remains strong.

Participants clap and cheer before a speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during Fatah congress in the West Bank city of Ramallah November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTSU1YD
Participants applaud before a speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during Fatah's general congress in Ramallah, West Bank, Nov. 30, 2016. — REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Recent developments have some observers asking if PLO parties Hamas and Fatah are possibly nearing reconciliation, but others point to the numerous failed attempts at rapprochement since the groups split violently in 2007.

A Hamas delegation participated in the opening of Fatah’s seventh general congress Nov. 29 in Ramallah, possibly marking a turning point in the groups' relations.

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