BICOM

PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who has not visited Gaza since 2007, is willing to accept an invitation by Hamas and travel to the strip. “I am ready to go to Gaza tomorrow in order to end the division,” Abbas said in a speech to the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s central council yesterday. Also in his speech, Abbas told his Fatah allies that he would not stand for re-election – the first time he has said so explicitly. However, it is not at all clear that elections will be held.

In January, Abbas said he would hold elections by September 2011, but he later about-faced and said elections could not be held until the West Bank and Gaza are reconciled. However, thus far repeated efforts at reconciliation have failed. Both sides are eager to avoid the perception that they are opposed to Palestinian unity, especially in light of recent grassroot demonstrations calling for Palestinian leaders to unite. Yet, there remains a sharp division between Hamas and Fatah on the basis of a unity deal, with Fatah insisting on new elections in September, and Hamas so far refusing. Without one side compromising on this point, it is hard to see any progress towards Palestinian reunification.

In other news, Palestinian sources reported that two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza y