In a significant move towards Palestinian unity, Hamas has reached out to Russia to mediate negotiations with President Mahmoud Abbas. According to a report by the Russian state news agency, RIA, a senior Hamas official emphasized the need for a national unity government to oversee post-war Gaza.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of the Hamas politburo, held discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow. The talks focused on fostering Palestinian national unity and establishing a governing body for the Gaza Strip after the conflict.
Marzouk revealed that Hamas has requested Russia's assistance in encouraging President Abbas, who is currently attending the BRICS summit in Kazan, to initiate negotiations for a unity government. This initiative aims to bridge the longstanding divide between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas.
President Abbas leads the PA, which was established three decades ago under the Oslo Accords to govern parts of the occupied West Bank. Despite its governance role, the PA has a contentious relationship with Hamas, the Islamist faction that controls Gaza. The two groups previously engaged in a brief conflict in 2007, resulting in Fatah's expulsion from Gaza.
The prospect of a unity government faces challenges, especially with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing strong opposition to the PA's involvement in Gaza's administration. Nonetheless, the push for unity reflects a broader desire among Palestinians for cohesive governance and stability in the region.
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Hamas wants Russia to push Palestinian president towards unity: report
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