Hamas Says the US Blocks Palestinian Unity Deal

Hamas: US blocking unity deal

Published today (updated) 21/07/2010 19:32 Gaza – Ma'an –

US intervention in the region has made a unity deal between rival factions Fatah and Hamas "difficult now and in the near future," the Islamist movement said Wednesday.

Ismail Radwan told Ma'an radio that "American intervention in the region, the issue of indirect talks, banning residents from receiving passports, and besieging them in Gaza" have all stalled efforts to ratify a reconciliation deal.

The spokesman said Hamas was "ready" to sign a deal but said the "continued imposed policies on the ground" is stalling efforts.

Radwan said the Islamist movement was prepared to allow for an independent factional committee to investigate allegations that the Gaza government is currently holding political prisoners.

He added that the Fat'h leadership in the West Bank should "move to stop the blackmailing policy practices in the West Bank, rather than stopping the receipt of passports and tightening restrictions on Gaza ... which prevents reconciliation."

Radwan added: "Fat'h should also stop its policy of chasing Hamas leaders and open cooperation with Israel security, which was seen during an officers' drill at the presidential guard."

On Monday, Fat'h accused Gaza security forces of restricting the movement of Revolutionary Council members and barring them from traveling to a party meeting in the West Bank.

Rivalry between the two factions led to the dissolution of a short-lived unity government, and fighting between security forces in the Gaza Strip, leading to Hamas' takeover in 2007.

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