Fayyad Drafts Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has drafted a plan to reconcile between rival Fatah and Hamas, which would include disarming Palestinian resistance groups, reported Haaretz on Friday, July 4. The three-point plan envisages the dispatch of an Egyptian security delegation, and possibly a military force, to the Gaza Strip. The delegation will act as an arbitrator between the two rival groups, said a source close the details of the plan. The blueprint also stipulates the disarmament of the Palestinian resistance groups. Under Fayyad's plan, there will be no attempt to demand Palestinian groups to hand over arms, but they will be asked to pledge not to use their weapons. The source said Fayyad believes that a ceasefire between Palestinians groups in Gaza and Israel makes it favorable to push for such a move. An... [read full story]