Hamas’ Haniyya Doubts Factions Can Reconcile

Hamas leader Is’mail Haniyya said on Wednesday that he doubted there could be reconciliation among the Palestinian factions. In a statement, the Gaza-based leader asserted that, "What is happening on the ground in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank indicates that the road to dialogue is impassable and faces major obstacles." He accused the West Bank Fatah government of Mahmoud ‘Abbas of "asking for dialogue and another hand holding a knife behind his back." On Tuesday ‘Abbas accepted an Egyptian call to establish a unity government that is acceptable to the international community with peacekeepers provided by Arab governments. Hamas said it was willing to discuss it with the Egyptians, but most doubt it will withdraw its opposition to allowing outside troops into Gaza.