GAZA, June 7 (UPI) -- Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas agreed to reactivate a joint investigation committee to probe clashes involving members of the two groups.
The agreement was reached after a long meeting between representatives of Fatah and Hamas under Egyptian sponsorship in Gaza Wednesday. It stipulated lifting political cover on gunmen who breach law and order and conducting investigations into such violations.
The chief of the Hamas bloc in parliament, Khalil Hayyeh, said "the talks focused on the violations taking place on the ground and on how to prevent further spilling of precious Palestinian blood."
Hayyeh said the two parties agreed to revive the investigation committee which was endorsed previously to probe past incidents and punish all those involved.
"As such we ask and order all members of the two groups to refrain from any manifestation or action that would lead to tensions and blood spilling and hope the meeting today will be a good start for settling all internal conflicts peacefully in order to consolidate and protect our internal front," Hayyeh added.
For his part, Fatah's representative Majed Abu Shamala said the Hamas-led Palestinian government should assume its role in putting an end to the security incidents by forming probing committees that will cooperate with both Fatah and Hamas to hand over violators to justice.
"We hope that with the help of our Egyptian brothers and thanks to positive dialogue and cooperation to be able to put an end to these unfortunate incidents and to reach a phase whereby the Palestinian people and its political organizations could agree on a national policy and program," Abu Shamala said.
