HA’ARETZ: MUBARAK, ABBAS TALK PALESTINIAN RECONCILIATION IN CAIRO

Egyptian intelligence officials have been brokering talks between rival Palestinian factions, notably Abbas’ Fatah faction, which controls the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, for months. On Tuesday, Abbas sent envoys to Gaza for the first time since Hamas took power there two years ago, after a third round of Egyptian-brokered talks ended last week without an agreement.

Question to the Blogosphere:  Do you believe that the time for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians has passed since there have been more hostile divisions of the Palestinian groups?  Why is Egypt serving as the third party in the negotiations between Fatah and Hamas?  What, in the eyes of the United States, would be the best resolution of the conflict between Fatah and Hamas?  Does the situation in Israel after the most recent elections affect the prospects for a possible reconciliation not only between Fatah and Hamas but between Palestinians and Israelis?