Palestinian expert Abdel Karim Bashir said that the Palestinian Independent Gathering organized several mass rallies in solidarity with Egypt, the leadership and the people, in which tens of thousands of people from the Gaza Strip, in all its political factions and national and Islamic forces, gathered in celebration of the great efforts the Egyptians have made to end the division and complete the Palestinian reconciliation.

He added, in an interview with “Egypt Today”, “Our message to the Arab Republic of Egypt was a message of thanks and appreciation for the efforts it exerted to push forward the Palestinian reconciliation file, and also its position supporting the Palestinian issue in international institutions.” He also expressed appreciation to both Fatah and Hamas for their response to the Egyptian efforts aiming to unify the Palestinian leadership.

He expressed his optimism that the Palestinians turn currently to unify themselves and their institutions and to end a large number of problems from which the Palestinian people suffer for years.

He stressed that that there are steps that can be felt by different people, including ending or reducing the electricity crisis, and the return of staff to their workplaces and administrative structure, and address the outstanding files of the staff of the Palestinian National Authority.

He stressed that the Palestinian people are eager for peace, stability, freedom and unity. He added that they are struggling to end the humanitarian and political crises and end the unjust siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. He added that there is a siege from another side in the occupied West Bank behind roadblocks and in daily incursions and incessant arrests.

He added that it is important to have a comprehensive geographical unit in all the Palestinian territories, saying that the Palestinian people is the real guarantee of unity through the support of the Palestinian reconciliation government, and the embodiment of the parameters of national cohesion.

He praised the role performed by the Egyptian government to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation during the latest period, saying that Hamas is keen to achieve reconciliation with Fatah as soon as possible to serve the interests of the Palestinian people.

Palestinian national unity government will appoint the security forces and will manage the crossing once it is established, saying that the position of the dismissed leader of the Fatah movement, Mohammed Dahlan in the Gaza Strip, will be determined by the government.

He added, “Frankly, we felt that there was no political decision to achieve reconciliation from Fatah. Now if there is political will from power, many problems will be resolved soon, including the sanctions imposed on Gaza through non-payment of funds for health, education and energy sectors.”