Na początku października 2024 r., podczas wizyty w Katarze jako uczestnik Szczytu Dialogu Współpracy Azjatyckiej, prezydent Autonomii Palestyńskiej (AP) Mahmud Abbas spotkał się z dwoma synami Isma’ila Haniji, nieżyjącego szefa biura politycznego Hamasu, który został zlikwidowany w Teheranie 30 lipca. Podczas spotkania Abbas pochwalił Haniję i podkreślił jedność narodu palestyńskiego w walce „o zakończenie okupacji ich ziemi i ustanowienie niepodległego państwa palestyńskiego ze stolicą w Jerozolimie”. Według dwóch arabskich mediów, podczas tej wizyty Abbas odbył również „pozytywne” spotkanie z wysokimi rangą urzędnikami Hamasu, w tym z Chalilem Al-Hajją, zastępcą przywódcy Hamasu Jahji Sinwara. Spotkanie Abbasa z funkcjonariuszami Hamasu było pierwszym tego typu spotkaniem, które odbyło się od ataku Hamasu na Izrael 7 października 2023 r. Abbas nie uczestniczył w pogrzebie Haniji, który odbył się w Katarze 2 sierpnia 2024 r.; Fatah reprezentował tam zastępca przywódcy ruchu, Mahmud Al-Aloul. [1]
Spotkania Abbasa z przedstawicielami Hamasu w Katarze mogły mieć na celu nadanie rozpędu wysiłkom pojednania między Fatahem a Hamasem i promowanie rozwiązania w Strefie Gazy, które pozwoli Autonomii Palestyńskiej na zdobycie tam przyczółku. Rzeczywiście, po trwających ponad miesiąc kontaktach i po kilku opóźnieniach, 9 października rozpoczęły się spotkania w Kairze między delegacjami Fatahu i Hamasu, na czele których stali zastępcy przywódców tych ruchów: Chalil al-Hajja z Hamasu i Mahmoud Al-Aloul z Fatahu. Według doniesień mediów arabskich głównym tematem niedawnych rozmów pojednawczych, obok samego pojednania, było zarządzanie Strefą Gazy po wojnie lub nawet w jej trakcie.
Wydaje się, że te rozmowy również nie doprowadziły do porozumienia między stronami, ponieważ Fatah nalega na ustanowienie w Strefie Gazy cywilnego organu zarządzającego, który nie miałby żadnych powiązań organizacyjnych z Hamasem i byłby podporządkowany Autonomii Palestyńskiej i prezydentowi Abbasowi. Hamas natomiast dąży do utrzymania kontroli nad Gazą i nalega, aby organ zarządzający nie był administracyjnie ani finansowo powiązany z Autonomią Palestyńską, a ponadto musiałby włączyć członków Hamasu. Według doniesień ruch ten domagał się również części dochodów z przejść granicznych; innymi słowy, próbuje utrzymać źródła finansowania.
Chociaż Fatah nalega, aby Gazą rządził organ niezwiązany z Hamasem, według saudyjskiej gazety „Al-Sharq Fatah” jest skłonny włączyć do tego organu pewne „organizacje cywilne i policyjne”, które są powiązane z Hamasem. Należy podkreślić, że mimo twierdzeń Hamasu, że policja Gazy jest organem cywilnym, a nie częścią jego ram wojskowych, od czasu przejęcia Strefy Gazy przez Hamas w 2007 r. agenci i oficerowie policji Gazy byli również członkami skrzydła wojskowego Hamasu, Brygad Izz Al-Din Al-Kassam, i brali udział w atakach na Izrael. Dlatego też, jeśli doniesienie „Al-Sharq” jest poprawne, propozycja Fatahu skutecznie pozostawia Strefę Gazy pod kontrolą Hamasu.
Należy również zauważyć, że wysiłki na rzecz pojednania między Fatahem a Hamasem trwają od lat bez znaczącego postępu. Ostatnia próba, przed tą niedawną, miała miejsce w lipcu 2024 r., kiedy Chiny starały się wykorzystać swoje wpływy, aby ułatwić przełom między stronami. Jednak spotkanie w Pekinie, w dniach 21–22 lipca, zorganizowane przez Chiny, najwyraźniej nie przyniosło żadnych rezultatów, poza wzmocnieniem pozycji Chin jako mediatora w tym konflikcie. Chociaż oświadczenie wydane po tym spotkaniu wskazywało, że strony zgodziły się „utworzyć tymczasowy rząd konsensusu narodowego… który rozpocznie unifikację wszystkich instytucji palestyńskich, zainicjuje odbudowę Strefy Gazy i przygotuje się do wyborów powszechnych”, [2] wkrótce po spotkaniu palestyńscy przedstawiciele oświadczyli, że oświadczenie to nie zawiera niczego nowego i że spotkanie nie osiągnęło celu zakończenia wewnątrzpalestyńskiego rozłamu. [3]
[Dalszy tekst – omówienie niedawnych nietypowych spotkań Abbasa z osobistościami Hamasu i przebiegu ostatnich rozmów między stronami – nie jest spolszczone]
Abbas Meets In Qatar With Haniya’s Sons, Praises His „Virtues”
On October 2, 2024, during a visit to Doha to attend the Asia Cooperation Summit, PA President Mahmoud Abbas met with Abd Al-Salam and Humam Haniya, the sons of Isma’il Haniya, the late head of Hamas’ political bureau, who was assassinated in Tehran on July 30. According to the PA’s official news agency, in the meeting Abbas „conveyed his condolences to the sons of the national leader, the martyr [Haniya], mentioned his virtues on the path of the Palestinian national struggle and emphasized that the Palestinian people would achieve all their legitimate rights… and would continue to be united in the struggle to end the occupation of their land and to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”[4]
Abd al-Salam Haniya wrote about the meeting on his Facebook account: „Today we had the honor of meeting with President Abu Mazen, the President of the State of Palestine. He praised the virtues of the eternal leader [Isma’il Haniya] and emphasized that our people will prevail, with God’s help.” Abd al-Salam also shared the photos below, reflecting the warm atmosphere that prevailed in the meeting.[5]
Arab Media Outlets: Abbas Held „Positive” Meeting With Hamas Political Bureau Members
According to the Sky News Arabiya channel, affiliated with the UAE, and the Rai Al-Youm news website, which supports the resistance axis of which Hamas is a part, during his visit to Qatar Abbas also met with Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and with other members of the movement’s political bureau. Sky News Arabiya reported that the meeting was held in a „positive atmosphere” and „both sides agreed to support the reconciliation efforts and implement the results of the Beijing dialogue.” Furthermore, there was „a significant rapprochement in the positions regarding the governance of Gaza” after the war.[6] Rai Al-Youm also referred to this meeting. On October 5 it stated, citing „high-ranking Palestinian sources,” that after meeting with Hamas officials „several days ago,” Abbas would meet with them again to discuss „developments in the context of the reconciliation.”
It should be noted that Hamas political bureau member Muhammed Nazzal denied that a meeting between Abbas and Hamas officials had taken place in early October. Asked by a Palestinian website whether Hamas officials had met with Abbas during the latter’s visit to Qatar,” Nazzal said, „There were no such meetings, [but] a dialogue with Fatah is expected to take place very soon.”[7]
Report In Saudi Daily: The PA Agrees To Allow Hamas-Affiliated Civilian And Policing Bodies Take Part In Administering The Strip
Ahead of the Fatah-Hamas dialogue in Cairo, which started on October 9, Arab media reported that one of the main topics on the agenda is the administration of Gaza and who will be in charge of the administering bodies. According to Sky News Arabiya, the sides are to discuss the formation of „a national committee for the administration of the Gaza Strip,” to be established by presidential decree and comprising „activists and national organizations” as well as „civil society” representatives.[8]
„Palestinian officials” told the Saudi daily Al-Sharq on September 16 that the sides would discuss the establishment of bodies to manage the Gaza Strip during and after the war. According to the report, Fatah insists that any governing body established in Gaza must be subordinate to the „Palestinian political legitimacy” and founded by presidential decree, i.e., subordinate to the PA and to its president Mahmoud Abbas. However, the report also stated that „the PA has indicated a willingness for Hamas’ civilian and policing bodies [to be part of] the new administration, while expressing reservations regarding Hamas’ security apparatuses, on which Israel declared war.”[9]
It should be emphasized that the „civilian and policing bodies” in the Gaza Strip are subordinate to Hamas and loyal to it; therefore, their inclusion in the governing body means that Hamas will continue to de facto control the Strip. Moreover, Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, uses equipment of the Gaza police, and officials and operatives of Gaza’s „civilian” police have simultaneously belonged to the Al-Qassam Brigades, and have even led combat units engaged in operations against Israel. For example, Faiq Al-Mabhouh, head of the Gaza police operations unit – who was involved in Hamas’ takeover of aid entering Gaza, with the knowledge and cooperation of UNRWA, and was killed by Israel in March 2024 – was also a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades and participated in attacks against IDF forces.[10]
Hence, the PA’s consent to let Hamas’ police force take part in administering the Strip after the war will essentially allow this movement and its military apparatuses to continue operating in the Strip and controlling it.
Significant Gaps Between The Sides: Hamas Opposes PA Control Of Gaza
Despite the efforts, it seems that the latest meetings between the sides in Cairo yielded no significant results. Sky News Arabia reported after the meetings that no progress had been made on the mechanism for governing the Strip in the present stage or on the preparations for the day after the war and the rebuilding of Gaza. According to the report, Hamas insists that the committee managing the Strip will be independent of the PA, both administratively and financially. A Fatah source told the channel that Hamas demands to be part of this committee and also to receive part of the revenues from the border crossings.[11]
In spite of the reports on a „positive atmosphere” in the meetings between Abbas and the Hamas figures in Qatar, Rai Al-Youm accused Fatah of inflexibility in the contacts with Hamas even before the commencement of the Cairo talks on October 9. The website reported that, in the discussions leading up to these talks, the PA had not presented any concessions or new proposals that could lead to progress.[12]
However, assuming the Sky News Arabiya report is correct there may have been some movement in Hamas’ position. Before the talks, Hamas apparently sought the establishment of a new Palestinian government that would control both the West Bank and Gaza, whereas now, according to Sky News Arabiya, it agrees to the establishment of a committee to manage Gaza (as long as it is independent of the PA and includes Hamas representatives).
Before the Cairo talks, Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Mardawi said that the political vision for the day after the war must include „a government made up of the factions [i.e., including Hamas] that will [also] oversee the governance of the Gaza Strip and the [border] crossings,” one of whose tasks will be to prepare for elections in the West Bank and Gaza to determine who represents the Palestinian people and who will oversee this sensitive period. During the Cairo dialogue, a Hamas official emphasized to the daily Al-Arabi Al-Jadid that the movement opposed the establishment of a committee to manage Gaza and demanded the formation of a national government comprising „individuals from all the Palestinian political groups who are experienced and [widely] supported.” Taher Al-Nounou, communications advisor to Hamas political bureau chief Sinwar, stated that Hamas is open to „a government of technocrats established by decree of the PA President.”[13]
In contrast, PA Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa stated that „the only legitimate [elements] that can govern Palestine are the Palestinian state and the PLO. The PA will manage the Gaza Strip in a way that includes all the components of the Palestinian people…”[14]
Rai Al-Youm News Site: Arab States Are Talkin With Hamas About „The Day After” The Gaza War; Hamas Refuses To Discuss Its Disarmament
Alongside the attempts to renew the reconciliation dialogue between Fatah and Hamas, which is also meant to address issues related to the governance of the Gaza Strip, the Biden administration has reportedly asked Egypt to engage in talks and consultations with Hamas in order to draft a document regarding the future of Gaza and its governance. Other countries, including Qatar, the UAE and Jordan, are also apparently engaged in contacts with Hamas.
According to the report, posted by Rai Al-Youm, the Hamas political leadership is „showing flexibility” concerning initiatives related to a ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the establishment of an administration agreed-upon by Palestinian, regional and international actors for managing the transitional phase.
The report noted further that Hamas agrees to „a ministerial technocrat team” that will be in charge of rebuilding Gaza and managing the humanitarian aid, „even alongside a security team about which there can be understandings.” However, the report emphasized that Hamas is not prepared to discuss or negotiate the disarmament of the resistance or the dismantling of the military brigades.[15]
[1] Palsawa.com, July 31, 2024. Abbas’ last meeting with Haniya was in Turkey on July 26, 2023.
[2] Dflp.org, July 22, 2024.
[3] Awp.net, July 23, 2024.
[4] Wafa.ps, October 2, 2024.
[5] Facebook.com/AbdElSalamHaniya, October 2, 2024.
[6] Skynewsarabia.com, October 3, 2024.
[7] Qudsn.co, October 8, 2024.
[8] Skynewsarabia.com, October 3, 2024.
[9] Al-Sharq (Saudi Arabia), September 16, 2024.
[10] Alqassam.ps, March 20, 2007..
[11] Skynewsarabia.com, October 10, 2024.
[12] Raialyoum.com, October 8, 2024.
[13] Al-Arabi Al-Jadid (London), October 9, 2024.
[14] Al-Arabi Al-Jadid (London), September 27, 2024.
[15] Raialyoum.com, September 30, 2024.
