Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday ordered the release of 40 Hamas members from PA prisons in the West Bank as a "goodwill gesture" to the Islamic movement on the occasion of the Muslim feast of Id al-Fitr. The decision came two days after Hamas released 30 Fatah members who were being held in its prisons in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas government said that move was also a "goodwill gesture" for the Muslim holiday. The release of the Hamas and Fatah prisoners is likely to pave the way for the resumption of reconciliation talks between the two parties in Cairo early next month. Hamas claims that Abbas's security forces have arrested over 200 of its supporters and officials in the West Bank in the past few months. Hamas spokesmen welcomed Abbas's decision to release the 38 Hamas members, but said the move was "insufficient." Fatah, on the other hand, said that Hamas's decision to release the 30 Fatah men was "not serious." According to Fatah officials in Ramallah, at least 300 Fatah members remain in Hamas prisons in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday that his movement was going to the Cairo talks "with open hearts and hands and good intentions" to solve the crisis with Fatah. He added that Hamas would press during the talks for the removal of the sanctions imposed on the Gaza Strip and for recognition of the Hamas government "that was elected in a free and democratic election."
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denied reports that his movement had accepted an Egyptian proposal to form a new government consisting of technocrats and independents. He said Hamas continues to favor the establishment of a "unity government" that would bring all Palestinian factions together.
In a related development, the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday that Abbas has rejected pressure from Fatah leaders to "crush" Hamas in the West Bank. Abbas, according to the report, also dismissed pressure to prepare for a "military confrontation" with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.