Fatah and Hamas seek to contain conflict

Fatah leader Amin Makboul revealed on Wednesday that Fatah and Hamas are trying to contain recent tensions erupting between the factions over the reconciliation deal. Both factions seek to establish a Palestinian unity government to end the political split between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Makboul, the Secretary-General of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, said that talks were ongoing between the parties' leadership, while insisting that Hamas did not desire conflict. He stated that talks were also being held with all other Palestinian factions to reach a mutually satisfying understanding. Makboul said the chance of legislative elections being held in May depended on updating the voters’ registry in the Gaza Strip, which has not yet been done. "Electoral sub-committees in Gaza have to be allowed to carry on with their work in order to enable the process of the elections," he said. "Electoral registers in the occupied West Bank only need minor updates, but are otherwise ready for the elections," he added. Relations between Hamas and Fatah have soured in recent weeks, with each holding the other responsible for the failure in moving forward with the reconciliation and forming the interim government.