Hamas security forces have reportedly abducted Fatah leader Hatem Abu al-Houtin from his home in northern Gaza, according to Israeli Arab affairs journalist Yoni Ben Menachem.
Despite all the talk of reconciliation, Gaza’s ruling Hamas terror organization appears to have no intention of uniting with the leading Ramallah-based Fatah faction of the Palestinian Authority.
Last September, Hamas agreed to dissolve its governing body in Gaza, and to allow the Ramallah government to take over Gaza and hold elections following reconciliation talks in Cairo. Such statements have been made before, however: in May 2014, the same agreement was made following reconciliation talks, with no result.
Both times, Hamas was expected to relinquish military control over Gaza, and Fatah – meaning Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) – was expected to loosen his tight-fisted fiscal sanctions over the enclave. Elections were to be called and honored.
Neither faction has ever proved itself capable of relinquishing control for the purpose of merging its two separate governments.