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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Abbas visit to Gaza dropped after threat from Qassam Brigades

From Ha'aretz:

Senior members of Hamas' military wing told aides of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that it would not guarantee the Fatah leader's safety if he visited the Gaza Strip, Haaretz has learned.

PA officials interpreted these statements as a threat to Abbas. As of last night, an Abbas trip to Gaza for reconciliation talks with Hamas has been dropped from the agenda.

Some Palestinian commentators attributed the increase in hostilities with Israel to Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's proposal that Abbas visit Gaza for reconciliation talks.
PalestinianArabs had been keenly interested in Abbas' planned visit so it will be interesting to see the reaction.