Gaza City — Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip are responding to news of unprecedented progress towards Palestinian reconciliation with shock and circumspect optimism. Political officials lauded the Egyptian-brokered accord struck between rivals Hamas and Fatah, the two factions that dominate the Palestinian political landscape, while Hamas security cracked down on celebratory demonstrations.
Representatives from each respective party announced on Wednesday an initial agreement to form a unity government in preparation for nationwide elections, tentatively slated for a year’s time.
The Egyptian-administered accord marks the first such effort to bridge the gap between the two rivals in recent years.
The Islamist Hamas and Western-backed Fatah political dynamic suffered a rupture following street battles in 2007 that ousted Fatah forces from the coastal enclave.
Twenty-four-year-old business marketing specialist, Ahmed, received the news with optimism while attributing the tenuous accomplishment to the pro-democracy movement sweeping the region.
"Although it's not so clear yet, I can see some light in the horizon,” said Ahmed. “The long-suppressed Arab people are no longer suppressed. It's the time for justice and democracy."
Other Gaza residents claimed mixed feelings of contentment and shame.
"I'm happy that reconciliation might exist on the ground soon, but I'm so disappointed of the reason behind what happened,” said Helmy, 39. “Fatah and Hamas have not done this for Palestine. They did it as their future is not served anymore, particularly after what's happening in the Arab World in general and Syria in particular."
Some regional experts say political upheaval in Syria, home to Hamas’ remote leadership, coerced the group into rapprochement. The ouster of erstwhile Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a stalwart supporter of Fatah, in turn pressured Fatah officials to enter negotiations.
Political Science professor at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University, Mokhimar Abu Sa'ada, speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, attributed the seemingly significant step to those regional influences.
"I believe the new government in Egypt played the main part of what happened,” said Sa’ada. “They managed to get over Hamas reservations that used to be the problematic part with the former government."
And, aside from international sponsorship, the nature of revolts in the region, according to Sa’ada, played an integral role in persuading Hamas and Fatah to reconcile their differences.
"What happened in Egypt and what's happening in Syria says nothing is guaranteed anymore,” said al-Sa’ada. “The two factions should respond to what their people want before it's too late."
Adel al-Soosi, 52, a former employee in the previous Fatah-led government expressed optimism due to the economic ramifications a successful reconciliation effort will bring.
"I'm 60 percent optimistic because it seems different this time,” said al-Soosi. “But I'm leaving the 40 percent for a possible shock like those we got before."
A Saudi-brokered power-sharing pact between Hamas and Fatah struck in February 2007 failed to hold for more than a few months. It came to a bitter end with the June clashes and ensuing Hamas seizure of Gaza.
And in November 2010, reconciliation meetings between the two rivals held in Damascus nearly reached agreement but differences over security considerations blocked progress.
Leaders across the political spectrum also endorsed the deal as an important initial step towards achieving a unity government that has proved elusive. Senior Islamic Jihad official Khaled al-Batsh, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said he hopes the tentative agreement will pave the way for a substantive mending of ties. Other officials expressed appreciation for those responsible for the deal’s adjudication.
"The new government of Egypt is doing its best to reach this achievement and we do appreciate the Egyptian effort," Fatah official Diab al-Lob told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
According to al-Loh, demonstrations held in March led by Palestinian youths who turned out in Gaza’s streets to encourage reconciliation pressured their leaders to make headway.
"I think the people's movement, affected by demonstrations in the Arab region, played a big role pushing the unity talks forward," said al-Lob.
Although bilateral endorsement of a final deal appears imminent, Abu Sa'da views additional progress with caution and skepticism. External influences, he says, remain capable of impeding progress.
"We should be more cautious as most of the problematic issues such as the security forces have been delayed to further discussions,” said Sa’ada.
“Also, Israel might interfere to put obstacles in front of the reconciliation way."
The United States and European Union identify Hamas a terrorist organization and have expressed concern over the prospect of dealing with a government that includes the group's officials. Israel on Thursday categorically rejected negotiating a Palestinian state with members of Hamas.
In March, following protests that swept Tunisia and Egypt fueling the ouster of each country’s respective autocrat, Palestinian youths in the Gaza strip and West Bank organized mass rallies urging the end of internal dissension. The demonstrators also called for long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections.
"I'm really happy that the sleepless nights and hard days we passed haven't gone in vain,” said one protester Hasan Faraht. “I'm proud of myself and my colleagues.”
But, as dozens took to the streets of Gaza City on Thursday in celebration of potential rapprochement, Hamas security forces violently dispersed the gatherings, claiming Palestinians demonstrated without approved licensing.
"I happily went to the street chanting slogans and cheering but I was beaten up by the policemen," said Khamis Abu Sha’aban, a young student. "I will never trust them again. How is it possible that I still can't walk in the street holding the Palestinian flag?"
Hamza al-Attar, a young journalist who left the Gaza Strip recently for the United Arab Emirates due to the lack of journalism freedom following the Hamas-Fatah rupture, said history warrants pessimism.
"For a moment, I felt that the news is really good,” said al-Attar. “But, when I remembered that it's about Fatah and Hamas and that they have been lying to us for a long time ago, I thought that trusting them again will be a new fault."
"I wish I can believe it because this will give me the chance of going back to my homeland, but I really can't. Let's suppose that I can trust them. Would mothers whose sons were killed in these street battles trust them again?"
