RAFAH, October 9, 2017 (WAFA) – Egypt opened Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip on Monday exclusively for the Fatah and Hamas members based in Gaza who are involved in the reconciliation talks to travel to Cairo for a new round of talks, according to WAFA correspondent.

The Fatah-Hamas talks, brokered by Egypt, are supposed to kick off on Tuesday in Cairo to discuss implementation of the 2011 Cairo agreement between the two major Palestinian factions on reconciliation and reunification of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, divided since the 2007 Hamas coup.

The talks will focus on security, Hamas public employees, control over the crossings and Hamas’ armed militias, as well as the unity government, political program and holding national elections.

Egypt’s push for Palestinian reconciliation led Hamas to dissolve the administrative committee it set up in March to run Gaza affairs, which allowed the Ramallah-based Palestinian government to travel to Gaza last week and assume responsibility of all the ministries.

The Fatah delegation includes Azzam al-Ahmad, Hussein al-Sheikh, Ahmad Hillis, and Rawhi Fattouh, all members of the Central Committee, Fayez Abu Eita, deputy secretary general of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, and Majid Faraj, head of intelligence.

The Hamas delegation includes Saleh Arouri, deputy to the head of the Political Bureau, Yehya Sinwar, head of Hamas movement in Gaza, and his deputy Khalil al-Hayyeh, as well as members of the politburo Izzat Rishq, Husam Badran, Salah Bardawil and Mousa Abu Marzouk.

M.K.