The head of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, proposed Monday that he meet with his political rival, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, in Saudi Arabia, Haniyeh's office said. Since Hamas's forcible takeover of Gaza in June, Abbas has rebuffed repeated offers by the Islamic militants to resume contacts. Abbas has said Hamas must first apologize and withdraw its forces from Palestinian security posts in Gaza. It appeared unlikely Abbas would change his position now. Haniyeh, who was deposed as prime minister by Abbas in June, proposed the meeting in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdel Aziz, Haniyeh's office said. In February, the Saudis had brokered a power-sharing agreement between Hamas and Abbas in the holy city of Mecca.
Abbas is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. But on Sunday a Fatah official blamed Hamas of committing "war crimes against the Palestinian people" and promised that "in time, those responsible will be held accountable for their actions."
Hamas's proposal late Monday evening comes on the heels of another meeting between Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, during which the two said they would set up teams to discuss core issues. A Channel Two commentator that Abbas was did not even mention Gaza Strip and seemed to see his constituency as West Bank Palestinians only. A poll published earlier Monday revealed that 73 percent of Palestinians were disappointed with Hamas since its takeover of Gaza, and if Palestinian elections were held today Abbas would win by a landslide.