GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Ziad al-Zaza, a member of Hamas’ political bureau and former government deputy prime minister, believes a long and rough road lies ahead to any potential reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah. Zaza met with Al-Monitor at his home in northern Gaza City on May 21 to express his opinions on this and other Palestinian and Arab issues, and to discuss the results of recent meetings between the Hamas leadership and Egyptian officials.

Zaza said the March 12-18 meetings in Egypt were positive and could help mend rifts between the country's leaders and Hamas.

"The meetings were serious, responsible and energetic, during which clearly defined and positive discussions took place. Our hope is great that these matters become reality, with the opening of the Palestinian-Egyptian Rafah border crossing to Palestinian individuals and goods. Such a development would be highly regarded by the Palestinian people, as it represents an end to the siege imposed upon them," Zaza said.

The Hamas leadership is considered part of the global Muslim Brotherhood, and there has been tension in the air since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assumed leadership of the country after the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated President Mohammed Morsi in mid-2013. Hamas was political Islam’s most important supporter of Morsi’s regime after its ouster.