The progressing talks on reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas reflect, first and foremost, the strategic distress that Hamas has been experiencing over the past year. If Hamas agrees to a new power-sharing agreement with the PA, it will demonstrate that the pressure that’s been exerted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Gaza has finally borne fruit.

It would also be the result of the mediation efforts made by Egypt. As far as Israel is concerned, it’s possible that there is potential to achieve calm on the Gazan border for a relatively long period, although there are still many question marks.

On Monday the PA cabinet travelled to Gaza and on Tuesday officials from both sides are expected to meet, mediated by Egypt. The first step, which Hamas has essentially agreed to, regards the bone of contention introduced by the group a year ago, namely the dismantling of the Strip’s management committee that so aggravated Abbas.

Read the full article at Haaretz.