Fatah will issue passports to Gazans

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas authorised the Minister of Interior in Ramallah to issue passports to residents of the Gaza Strip without discrimination. However Fatah argued "Hamas wants to issue passports from Gaza, to give them to anyone wanting to meddle with the Palestinian cause." In a previous statement, Fatah's official spokesman Ahmed Assaf replied to the Hamas leader Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahar’s previous allegations saying that there was no breakthrough in the files of the reconciliation, particularly in those regarding the detainees and passports. Assaf considered Al-Zahar’s statements the expression of a personal point of view and said “It is a reflection of his internal disagreements with his movement.” Fatah`s spokesman then called on Hamas leader to make good use of the positive atmosphere to implement the articles of the reconciliation agreement. As Assaf outlined, although Fatah repeatedly called for the elections before, Hamas refused to listen and even ignored Al-Zahar`s when he said Fatah would not name anyone to run as president as the group was not concerned with the creation of a government before elections. Hamas leader also added that the meeting between the two movements on December 18, will tackle the issue of the government`s formation. Regarding detainees, Assaf cited Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk`s statements that confirmed  some detainees had been released in Ramallah.