Hamas serious about Palestinian reconciliation deal
The tough economic sanctions carried out by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against Hamas may have been the final straw to convince Hamas to finally see out a reconciliation agreement.
Representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA) demanded Nov. 1 to hold a proper ceremony to mark the transfer of control over the border crossings to the Gaza Strip, from Hamas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. This ceremony was their opportunity to show that the PA is returning to Gaza with its head held high, while Hamas hands over the keys to the "real" sovereign.
In fact, those in the PA were sure that this would happen much earlier — that Hamas would come crawling on its knees years ago, begging to return Gaza to Fatah. That did not happen. Even now, 10 years after the military coup in the Gaza Strip, it is clear to the Palestinians that Hamas chose the reconciliation and compromise route only because it had no choice. Now Hamas is willing to do everything to ensure the success of the move.
