The role of Egypt is pivotal, specialist Mourad Zarif

Palestinian reconciliation has been fully realized in all aspects, and Egypt has achieved a new victory, confirming Egypt's return to its leadership role and affirming that the current political leadership in Egypt is working for the stability of the region.

Dr. Ayman al-Raqab, a leader of the Fatah movement, said in a special statement to Egypt Today that the Egyptian-led Palestinian reconciliation currently under way is evidence of Egypt’s power and the affirmation of Egypt's regional role, which cannot be dispensed with at all.

He stressed that the Palestinian reconciliation is a real beginning for the independence resolution of the situation within the Palestinian house. All of that will be in the interest of the Palestinian state, because of the elimination of differences and the elimination of divisions, and there is a genuine Palestinian reconciliation that will be in the interest of the Palestinian cause, as all factions will be full-time for the Palestinian cause and work to solve it. Reconciliation achieves the desired stability for the sake of the Palestinians, and the end of division and discord.

Egypt and its regional role are behind all this, he said, adding that Egypt is working to stabilize the situation in the area and to calm the situation on the Palestinian side and stabilize the situation there, and Egypt will work in the coming period on reconciliation among all Palestinian factions. “The goal is to arrange conditions within the Palestinian House. I know that all factions will abide by the outcome of the forthcoming meetings in Cairo in order to achieve full reconciliation,” he said.

Hamas spokesman Hazem al-Qasim told Egypt Today that the movement appreciated all Egyptian efforts to complete Palestinian reconciliation, stressing that Egypt’s role was indispensable in the region. “We support the Egyptian role in maintaining and stabilizing the Palestinian cause, and we affirm that the movement cannot threaten Egyptian national security at all. We all agree on the importance of reconciliation and we appreciate that Egypt is the safety valve in the area and the reconciliation is done in a way that serves the Palestinian case.

For sure, there is consensus within the movement on the need for reconciliation and there is agreement on that, and we aim to reunite all Palestinian factions with stability throughout, but we must affirm that the Egyptian role has been important, prominent and necessary for the sake of all factions. Our work over the past period to coordinate with Egypt in files, securing borders and reconciliation, and all that affirms that the movement is serious in its relations with Cairo during the current phase and everything that serves the Palestinian reconciliation,” he said.

Dr. Mourad Zarif, a specialist on the Palestinian issue, told Egypt Today that Cairo was indispensable in the story. Egypt returned with full power again to the field to confirm that it is the only one able to make the difference to stabilize the area. Hamas learned the lesson that Egypt is the equalizing force in the region, and that Qatar and Turkey will not serve Hamas in anyway.

Nevertheless, Egypt is the base that leads and it is the base of any reconciliation. Nothing new can happen without an Egyptian role, because Egypt is the incubator and is the guarantee for stability of the Arab region. Egypt must establish rules for all the Palestinian factions for things to go smoothly, and it’s inevitable for all parties to abide by what Egypt is asking and to have guarantees to implement all that is agreed upon. Hamas and Fatah are to commit to what’s agreed upon and should stick to what is agreed in Cairo, which should be binding to all. Egypt is capable of imposing its views on all Palestinian parties.