The continuation of the "reconciliation" meetings for the second day
Egypt opens the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip "until further notice"
A traveler carries a bag on his shoulder at the Rafah crossing.
A.F.B.
Egyptian and Palestinian sources said that Egypt opened the Rafah land crossing with the Gaza Strip yesterday, until further notice, in a move described as a catalyst for reconciliation between the Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo, for the second day in a row.
Leaders from the "Fatah" movement, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and the "Hamas" movement began talks with Egyptian mediation, the day before yesterday, with the aim of resolving long-standing disputes between the two sides ahead of planned elections this year.
Palestinian sources spoke of a "positive atmosphere" in the talks, which took place at one of the headquarters of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service.
According to the sources, the factions discussed the file of the legislative elections, scheduled for next May, and the legal and technical procedures for the electoral process, amid disputes over the mechanisms of judicial supervision.
Delegations of 12 Palestinian factions participated in the meetings, most notably "Fatah" and "Hamas".
The Palestinian embassy in Cairo said that the procedures for opening the Rafah crossing came as a result of intense bilateral discussions and contacts between the Egyptian and Palestinian leaderships, to facilitate Palestinian travel and return.
Egypt used to open the Rafah crossing for only a few days at a time to allow the passage of the stranded travelers, and two Egyptian sources said that the crossing was opened early yesterday morning, and it will remain open until further notice.
Palestinian sources participating in the Cairo talks said that Egyptian intelligence officials informed them that this step aims to create a better atmosphere for negotiations.
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Sources: positive atmosphere during the
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Palestinian factions.
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