Hamas has agreed to waive the position of prime minister and to appoint an independent figure in coordination with Fatah, a top Palestinian official revealed to the London-based daily A-Sharq Al-Awsat.
Fatah and Hamas are now very close to an agreement on a unity government, which will not consist of any of Hamas’ top officials, the source added.
"Next week will be crucial for the fate of the new government," Palestinian Authority Chairman’s Office Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told the Palestinian daily Al-Quds. According to Abu Rudeina, the new government will consist of experts in each field.
Meanwhile, Egypt announced over the weekend, that it had sent some 5,000 policemen to the border with the Gaza Strip. Last week, the Israeli army announced it would intensify its fight against the cross-border tunnels used for smuggling weapons. The weekend reports indicate that the Israeli army plans to also use aerial bombardment.
The tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip have become a major threat in the recent months. Palestinian terror groups are using them to smuggle weaponry such as anti-tank missiles similar to those used by Hizbullah.