Hamas, Salafists try to move beyond bumpy history
Serious efforts are being made toward a reconciliation between Hamas and the Salafists.
A reconciliation initiative between Hamas and the Salafists was announced July 7 by Sheikh Issam Saleh, a prominent Salafist figure in the Gaza Strip, during a press conference he held in Al-Joundi al-Majhoul Square in Gaza City.
Al-Monitor attended the press conference and took note of the initiative’s provisions: halt and condemn local bombings in Gaza, some of which have not yet been claimed responsibility for; forbid torture in the prisons run by the Gaza security apparatus, except when the detained is accused of collaborating with Israel; refrain from attacking the homes of Salafists; release of Salafist detainees; and return money and weapons to the Salafists.
The initiative also denounced threats against Hamas from any party and demanded cooperation with the movement in jihadist operations against Israel. It also stated that military training for the Salafists in Gaza should be permitted and that provisions are made to facilitate this.
Ismail al-Ashqar, head of the Palestinian Legislative Council’s Interior and Security Committee and a Hamas leader, refused to express his opinion regarding the reconciliation initiative.
