War between Israel and Gaza, live | UN calls for funding to be resumed for UNRWA as “nobody else” can take over its functions International

Russia has invited the Palestinian National Authority and Hamas to a meeting in Moscow

Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said on Sunday that Russia has invited Palestinian factions to meet in Moscow on February 26, adding that the organization is ready to negotiate with Hamas.

“Russia has invited all Palestinian factions to meet in Moscow on the 26th of this month. We will see if Hamas is willing to cooperate with us,” Shtayyeh said at the Munich security conference. “We are ready for talks. If there is no Hamas, it is a different story. “We need Palestinian unity,” he said, adding that in order to be part of that unity, Hamas needs to meet certain conditions.

Established as part of the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which raised hopes for the creation of a Palestinian state; The ANP has seen its legitimacy steadily weakened due to, among other things, the construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Many Palestinians now view the PA as corrupt, undemocratic, and disconnected from their reality. For its part, the Hamas political group and militia have ruled the Gaza Strip for 17 years after driving security services loyal to the PA out of the enclave.

Many Western countries and some Arabs have made clear that they want a revived Palestinian Authority – led by President Mahmoud Abbas since 2005 – to take over Gaza after the conflict ends and integrate its administration with the West Bank. Do. “Palestine is ready. We have institutions, capabilities, but our serious problem is that we are under occupation,” Shtayyeh decried. “We are under Israeli occupation and we need to end it.”

He said, “For Hamas to become a member of the PLO, there must be certain conditions that Hamas must accept: the political platform of the PLO, an understanding on the question of resistance and that we are calling for popular resistance and nothing more.” .First Minister.

Hamas has always welcomed Russian diplomatic efforts. Thus, leaders of Palestinian Islamist factions have repeatedly visited Moscow, which maintains good relations with Hamas.

Hamas and the PA have failed to end their power disputes since 2007. Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group have sought to join the PLO, but say the organization must be reformed because both factions refuse to recognize Israel or abide by signed PLO commitments. peace agreement.

“They need to embrace our political agenda. Our approach is absolutely clear. Two states on the 1967 borders, through peaceful means,” Shtayyeh said, adding: “Palestinians need to live under one umbrella.” (Reuters)