Gaza's Hamas Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh told Abbas that he wants to overcome divisions, announces that Fatah members will be able to return to the Gaza Strip "without any preconditions."

Gaza City (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Hamas has taken a step towards Palestinian reconciliation. Gaza Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh (pictured) announced the release of Fatah members who had been previously arrested for "security" reasons.

"The (Hamas) government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip (in 2007) to return, without any preconditions," the statement said; apart from those accused of killing Hamas members. Palestinian lawmakers will also be able to come to Gaza.

Haniyeh spoke to Abbas on the phone yesterday. In a statement, his office said that Abbas welcomed Hamas's decisions to surmount divisions that emerged after Hamas's election victory in 2006.

Fatah and Hamas have repeatedly said they want to overcome divisions that led to a violent confrontation ending with Fatah's expulsion from the Gaza Strip.

In 2011, the two sides reached a deal in which they pledged to set up an interim government of independents to pave the way for new elections in both Gaza and the West Bank. But it was never implemented.

Hamas's latest move stems from the difficulties caused by the Egyptian army's destruction of hundreds of tunnels that allowed the passage of all kinds of goods (and weapons) from Egypt to Gaza.

The crisis of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood - which is linked to Hamas - also worsened its political prospects.

• palestine
• gaza
• west
• bank
• hamas
• fatah
• reconciliation