Soon after the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza was over, there were positive indicators for finally achieving national Palestinian reconciliation. As expected, however, the optimism was short lived as differences have again began to resurface between the two rivals, Fatah and Hamas.

The optimism was an inevitable result following the two parties’ cooperation in the field to resist Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza. Both factions showed readiness to return to the negotiation table. 

The first positives signs of reconciliation began to appear after the Hamas authorities in Gaza released several Fatah political prisoners, with the gesture reciprocated by Fatah in the West Bank. Fatah also allowed Hamas supporters in the West Bank to commemorate their faction’s anniversary for the first time in six years earlier this month.

But movement towards reconciliation appears to have stalled, as evident by Hamas’ refusal to permit Fatah from celebrating its 74th anniversary next month in Al-Kateeba Square, where Hamas held its own 25th anniversary celebrations a few weeks ago.