- A report from an unnamed source has claimed that Hamas has agreed not to initiate armed conflict against Israel
- Instead, all decisions on confrontations, as well as peace deals, will be taken in cooperation with their Fatah rivals
- The claims come days after a landmark agreement between the two rival Palestinian factions
- It forms part of the “principle of participation” set out in that deal, which was leaked in full over the weekend
Hamas has agreed not to initiate confrontation with Israel in Gaza or the West Bank, a report has claimed.
According to Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat, which cited Palestinian sources, Hamas and Fatah have said they will not act unilaterally on either peace deals or armed conflict.
This comes after the two factions signed a reconciliation agreement in Cairo last week, including a timetable for elections, and the transfer of Gaza border crossings to Palestinian Authority control. Under the accord, control of Gaza will also be transferred to the PA.
The Asharq al-Awsat source indicated that the rival Palestinian parties will cooperate on key decisions, under the “principle of participation” included in the preamble of the leaked deal text.
The report suggested that Hamas will halt any attempt to ignite conflict with Israel in the West Bank, without prior agreement.
A number of Hamas attacks against Israeli military and civilian targets have been thwarted there this year, according to Israeli media.
While Asharq al-Awsat reported that Hamas’ arms were not discussed in talks, its unnamed source indicated that they would not be used except in agreed confrontations with Israel.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had previously insisted no unity government could be established before Hamas disarmed.
“One authority, one law and one weapon,” he said prior to negotiations.
Israeli site Haaretz quoted a Palestinian source as saying that both sides were keen to avoid undermining the deal, which came following years of tensions after Hamas’ 2007 takeover of control in Gaza.
Recent months had seen the PA fire dozens of government employees in Gaza, while an electricity crisis put further pressure on the enclave's already strained resources.
