Will a joint Palestinian government be formed? Hamas and Fatah are in talks

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

Officials from Fatah, which controls the West Bank, and Hamas, which is active in Gaza, have met in the Russian capital, Moscow. During the meeting, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the parties discussed the formation of a joint Palestinian government.

The parties last met in Moscow 5 years ago.

The meeting, held under Russian mediation, focused on a formula in which East Jerusalem would be declared the capital and the two sides would form a government through a coalition.

LAVROV MADE STATEMENTS AFTER THE MEETING

Following the meeting, Lavrov said, “Five years have passed since the meeting in this format. It was interrupted due to Covid-19, but there is no such obstacle now. The dynamics of the process in the region and the world should encourage us to have more active, productive, and constructive contacts. In light of the recent dramatic events in the occupied Palestinian territories, these contacts are in even greater demand.”

Touching upon the war between Israel and Palestine, Lavrov stated, “Only the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on international law, will guarantee lasting peace in the region.”

The Russian Foreign Minister added, “The tragic events of recent months have cost 30 thousand lives. The vast majority of these are civilians, women, and children. The scale of the humanitarian catastrophe is growing. The UN humanitarian aid coordinator in Gaza has informed the UN Security Council about the current situation. The figures are depressing. Approximately 700 thousand of Gaza's 2.4 million population are on the verge of famine. he said.

Drawing attention to the US role in the region, Lavrov said: “It was the result of a long-term stagnation in the Middle East settlement process, stemming from the US policy of monopolizing mediation efforts, blocking the work of the ‘Quartet’ of international mediators (US, Russia, EU, UN), and promoting policies they would conduct themselves. The US has not shown importance to the long-distorted and unsatisfied interests of the countries in the region.”