Gaza - Qatar has entered the mediation efforts between rival
Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas in a new bid to achieve
reconciliation between the two sides, Palestinian sources said on
Saturday.

"Qatar, as a state of strategic weight in the region, seeks to
sponsor the mediation between Hamas and Fatah to end the internal split
and reunite the two wings of Palestine," the sources said.

The split was made last year when Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza and
seized control of the coastal Strip. Fatah was driven out to the West
Bank where it consolidated its rule while Hamas tightened its grip on
Gaza.

Qatari officials are holding talks with leaders from Hamas and
Fatah to convince them to return to dialogue, the sources added. The
Qatari efforts focus on overcoming the consequences of Hamas' violent
takeover of the Strip before Hamas starts dialogue with Fatah.

The new efforts come as Egypt, the long-dominant mediator, is also
boosting its own efforts to achieve reconciliation between the
Palestinian factions. (dpa)