BICOM

Divisions in Hamas over the Qatari-sponsored reconciliation agreement with Fatah deepened yesterday as representatives of the movement issued conflicting statements in response to the deal.  A day after Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip issued a statement rejecting the agreement signed in Doha earlier this week by the movement’s leader Khaled Meshaal and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas representatives in the West Bank issued a statement in support of the accord.

On Wednesday, Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip criticised the reconciliation deal, stating it violated Palestinian Basic Law, which states that the position of PA president and PA prime minister cannot be held simultaneously. However, other objections from Hamas in Gaza are more substantial. Namely, that the leadership in Gaza has the most to lose following a reconciliation deal that would require it to share power with Fatah in Gaza. Hamas has solely controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.  The group’s leadership in Gaza is also concerned about waning domestic support in the Palestinian territories, which could greatly impact their showing in election that would have to be held later this year if the unity agreement is implemented.

In related news, the London-based Asharq Alawsat newspaper reported yesterday that the Hamas leadership has decided to permanently leave Syria in light of the growing chaos there. The paper said Hamas leaders no longer felt safe as the violence spread into Damascus. Meshaal has recently re-settled in Qatar after leaving the movement’s stronghold in Syria.