Member of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, Khalil Al-Hayya, said that the party’s position on the Palestinian reconciliation remains positive and retreating from it isn’t an option. 

During a press conference held in Gaza on Monday, Al-Hayya reiterated that Hamas strongly supports the steps taken to achieve a national reconciliation and will not allow any obstructions to deter this historical opportunity from being achieved.

He called for the provision of political support both locally and regionally to support the reconciliation, calling on Egypt to create a suitable environment that embraces the reconciliation and defer all efforts vying for its disruption. 

He also warned that Fatah should not respond or comply to Israeli and American political pressures and financial temptations.

Al-Hayya pointed to the progress of several files in the reconciliation agreement, including the file of public freedoms, which include 11 agendas that were put on the table of negotiations.

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"We will not accept moving back to square one, while our people are living in a humanitarian crisis and the walls and settlements are devouring our land," Al-Hayya warned.

He added that the results which unfolded during the past two days do not reassure our people, pointing out that there are parties who want to overthrow the reconciliation.

He explained that Hamas chose the reconciliation path in order to strengthen the unity of the Palestinian people, indicating that it has provided high flexibility and not concessions to achieve unity.

Al-Hayah called on all parties that participated in the Cairo dialogues to reassure the peoplethat the aims of the negotiations are to protect the Palestinian cause and form a strong bond of partnership and unity amongst Palestinians. 

Al-Hayya also praised Egyptian efforts in achieving the reconciliation, most recent of which was the Egyptian delegation that arrived in Gaza on Monday to follow up the process.

Cairo Dialogues

The Politburo member pointed out that the recent dialogues in Cairo with the participation of the factions were based on the discussion of the reconciliation files in accordance with the 2011 agreement.

Al-Hayya pointed out that the brothers in the Fatah movement, instead of going along with the reconciliation and achieving it, were trying to flee from their responsibilities by proposing  a cancellation or postponement of the talks. 

He explained that 13 factions participated in the dialogues,  with 15 interventions that supported the  2011 agreement and its implementation, with the exception of Fatah, which maintained the term of “empowering the government” and stipulated it as a primary condition in order to continue the agreement.

On the outcome of the recent Cairo dialogue agreement, the member of the Hamas political bureau said that Hamas dissolved the administrative committee and received the Unity government and its ministers in Gaza, indicating that they are carrying out their work smoothly. The border crossing have also been handed over to the Palestinian Authority under Egyptian mediation.

He also reiterated that  the movement called for the formation of a national committee to follow up the implementation of the reconciliation agreement in Gaza, stressing that the Fatah delegation refused this, while Egypt suggested sending a delegation to follow up the matter.

Fatah’s delay 

Al-Hayya pointed out that the Fatah delegation argued in the dialogues that the government was not empowered  in Gaza particularly in the sectors of education, health, and the environment. and the Egyptian intelligence asked him for observations into the matter, Fatah  mentioned that those issues were in fact resolved.

He said that the movement and the factions confirmed in Cairo that the government must accept its obligations in Gaza and lift the sanctions imposed by the authority.

“The Egyptian intelligence agreed with Hamas and the factions on the importance of returning to Gaza with something tangible that facilitates the lives of citizens. Unfortunately the PA imposed sanctions have yet to be solved”. 

Al-Hayya pointed out that the Fatah delegation linked the lifting of the sanctions to the full empowerment of the government in the Gaza Strip.

He stressed that Hamas will continue its efforts to lift the sanctions on Gaza, saying, "There is no choice for Fatah and the government but to lift the sanctions”.

He also called on the government to terminate the electricity tax for the residents of the Gaza Strip, and to perform its duties in the West Bank.

File of Public Employees

Regarding the public employees, Al-Hayya pointed out that Hamas and Fatah movement discussed the issue of public employees and will form a committee consisting of three members from Gaza, guaranteed by Egypt, and that their decision will be taken by consensus.

He explained that the government, after 40 days of delay, did not involve the members of the Gaza Strip in the Committee, calling on the Committee to start its work and discuss the subject of employees.

Al-Hayya said that the employees who have been appointed since the 10th government are a red line that cannot be crossed by the movement in any way, indicating that he is a patriot, and the employees are legal owners, we support them and stand by them.

He noted that Hamas does not accept any employee to oppose the instructions of the ministers in Gaza, stressing at the same time the commitment of ministers to what was signed in Cairo.

Al-Hayya pointed out that the ministers of the Al-Wefaq government have taken dozens of decisions since coming to the Gaza Strip without opposition from anyone.

He stressed that the Wifaq government is obliged to pay the salary of November at the beginning of December, hoping the Fatah movement not to fall in the error of non-disbursement.

Legislative Council

In another context, Al-Hayya wondered, “Is it logical to leave the government to operate without supervision”, indicating that it was supposed to take confidence from the Legislative Council, but avoided this point.

He called for monitoring the government by activating the supervisory role of the Legislative Council and subjecting it to the legislative authority so that it can be held accountable.

Election File

As for the elections, Al-Hayya said that it was one of the factors that led to the departure of the current Palestinian situation, pointing out that Hamas was the first to initiate and propose the elections.

Abbas called for consultations with all national parties to determine presidential and legislative elections and national council elections.

Security File

On the security file, Al-Hayya said “The movement is ready to implement the full security file as stated in the agreement and the Cairo dialogue”, calling for the arrival of a security delegation from the West Bank to Gaza to discuss the matter.

He pointed out that the weapon of the resistance cannot be disarmed or bargained. He reiterated that the weapon of the resistance will not be touched and will not be subject to discussion, a force for all Palestinians, adding that this weapon will move to the occupied West Bank to fight the occupation until it ends.