Fatah officials set to head to Gaza for unity talks

Hamas to release ten 'Fatah-affiliated' prisoners as a gesture to PA, signalling warming ties between the factions.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the founding of Fatah 370 (photo credit: Reuters)
Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the founding of Fatah 370
(photo credit: Reuters)
A delegation from Fatah is set to head to Gaza on Monday to negotiate a deal that would reunite the two factions, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported on Monday.
The Fatah delegation will meet with Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Mousa Abu Marzouq.
Officials said that the Fatah delegation will enter Gaza though the Rafah crossing in Egypt.
Senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad told Ma'an that he is optimistic about the upcoming talks and believes they will likely yield results.
As a gesture to the PA, Hamas said they will release ten 'Fatah-affiliated' prisoners, signalling warming ties between the factions.
"We are going to Gaza not to propose new suggestions, but rather to carry out a clear mission which is to end the state of disagreement and address three decisive issues," al-Ahmad said.
"We are going to address the formation of a national consensus government, elections and restructuring the PLO in order to maintain Palestinian unity so we can dedicate our efforts to confronting Israeli occupation." 
Delegations last met in February to attempt to reach a deal but were ultimately unsuccessful.