This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7911662.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Palestinian groups agree releases | Palestinian groups agree releases |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Senior members of Hamas and Fatah, the main rival Palestinian factions, have agreed to release each other's members from detention. | Senior members of Hamas and Fatah, the main rival Palestinian factions, have agreed to release each other's members from detention. |
Hamas has lifted house arrest on some Fatah members in the Gaza Strip while Fatah has released about 80 - out of a total 380 held - Hamas members. | Hamas has lifted house arrest on some Fatah members in the Gaza Strip while Fatah has released about 80 - out of a total 380 held - Hamas members. |
The agreement came ahead of unity talks now under way in Cairo, which could lead to more aid for Gaza. | |
Factional rivalry came to a head when Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. | |
Some kind of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah - which runs the Palestinian Authority in areas of the West Bank - is widely seen as an essential step towards a future Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Although with Israel also at a political crossroads analysts say that could be a long way off. | |
"A certain number of detainees will be freed right at the beginning of the dialogue," said a statement from Azzam al-Ahmed, leader of the Fatah bloc in the Palestinian parliament, and Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas official, referring to the talks about to start in Egypt. | "A certain number of detainees will be freed right at the beginning of the dialogue," said a statement from Azzam al-Ahmed, leader of the Fatah bloc in the Palestinian parliament, and Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas official, referring to the talks about to start in Egypt. |
"Other detainees will be freed successively so that this issue will be totally closed before the end of the national Palestinian dialogue," the statement said. | "Other detainees will be freed successively so that this issue will be totally closed before the end of the national Palestinian dialogue," the statement said. |
The two sides also promised to stop media attacks against each other. | The two sides also promised to stop media attacks against each other. |
Unity talks | Unity talks |
FATAH-HAMAS RIVALRY January 2006 - Hamas wins Palestinian Authority legislative electionMarch 2006 - Hamas government sworn in. US and EU suspend tiesFebruary-March 2007 - Fatah and Hamas agree to form coalition to end growing factional warfareJune 2007 - Hamas seizes control of Gaza from Fatah after continued fighting. Unity government dissolved, Israel tightens blockade of Gaza Strip About a dozen Palestinian groups are expected to be represented in the national dialogue, whose aim is to set up a unity government. | |
A unity government could serve for an interim period, preparing for new presidential and legislative elections and co-ordinating the rebuilding of Gaza. | A unity government could serve for an interim period, preparing for new presidential and legislative elections and co-ordinating the rebuilding of Gaza. |
The US, Britain and the EU have made clear that they would rather see non-partisan technocrats in control of the Palestinian territories than a coalition which includes Hamas. | The US, Britain and the EU have made clear that they would rather see non-partisan technocrats in control of the Palestinian territories than a coalition which includes Hamas. |
A previous unity agreement fell apart after Israel and its international backers refused to deal with Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel. | |
Inter-factional fighting in Gaza came to a head in the summer of 2007 when Hamas fighters ousted the pro-Fatah security forces and overthrew PA control. | |
Egypt revived the call for Palestinian reconciliation talks in November. | |
However, Hamas withdrew from the talks, complaining that Fatah continued to arrest Hamas members in the West Bank. | However, Hamas withdrew from the talks, complaining that Fatah continued to arrest Hamas members in the West Bank. |
Efforts to secure a reconciliation have gained strength since Israel's three-week military offensive in Gaza which ended on 18 January. | |
The Fatah and Hamas sides have fundamental differences over how to deal with Israel. While Fatah has renounced violence, Hamas refuses to recognise Israel. Hamas is prepared to accept a short-term truce but it reserves the right to fight Israel. |
Previous version
1
Next version