A rare opportunity for unity

The much sought after reconciliation between Fateh in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza is fumbling once again even though there were early signs that the latest round of talks between the two sides was promising. 

The main bone of contention is the control of the military branch of Hamas which the group insists on keeping off limits to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Hamas leaders maintain that control over its armed wing is a red line and non-negotiable. 

Hamas' stance resembles to a great extent the posture of Hizbollah in Lebanon which also maintains that keeping its own military wing outside the domain of the state of Lebanon is a red line as well! Hizbollah has long claimed that its military faction is for the defence of Lebanon from any Israeli attack. 

In fact, Hizbollah maintains military presence in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen to further the agenda of Iran rather than defend Lebanon from any Israeli attack!  

The position of Hamas to maintain full control over its war machine to "liberate Palestine" is clearly untenable from the point of view of the central Palestinian political authority in the West Bank. Issues of war and peace must remain under the domain of the political order in the Palestinian territories. 

How can a lasting reconciliation between the Fateh and Hamas endure the test of time as long as Hamas calls all the shots when it comes to military response to Israel and the control over its armed wing is considered off limits to the PA in the West Bank!  

If the two sides truly wish to maintain a permanent relationship it should be based on the full unity between them with the united Palestinian government enjoying full control over not only border crossings or the payment of salaries of civil servants but also to all matters related to security and safety of the entire Palestinian people in the West Bank as well as in the Gaza strip. 

The future of the ongoing talks about bolstering the initial concord achieved between Fateh and Hamas hangs in the balance and statesmanship by Hamas is urgently required. 

If the current reconciliation between the two Palestinian camps falters, there may not be another opportunity to unify the Palestinian factions in the near future to the detriment of the long-term Palestinian national interests.