Impasse as Hamas rejects Fatah's nomination for prime minister
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Hamas militant group yesterday rejected the rival Fatah movement's nominee for prime minister, complicating plans to unify the duelling governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and jeopardising international aid for the Palestinians.
Hamas's opposition to Salam Fayyad's nomination marked a key setback in the reconciliation process, which aims to form a caretaker government until elections are held next year. Since the rival factions announced their reconciliation pact last month, aiming to end a four-year rift, they appear to have made little progress in implementing their plans.
Fatah and Hamas are set to meet this week in Cairo to begin the process of appointing members of the new government. It was not clear whether Hamas's announcement was a final decision, or a bargaining tactic as the sides gear up to fill cabinet posts. Mr Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, was nominated by the Western-leaning Fatah over the weekend to remain in his post.
A US-educated economist, Mr Fayyad enjoys the respect of foreign donors. President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah has concluded that Mr Fayyad's reappointment would ease Western concerns that donor money would fall into the hands of Hamas, which the West considers a terrorist organisation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments