Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said that the initiative of Abbas which called for resuming the dialogue is not serious "because there is an American and Israeli veto on resuming the dialogue with Hamas."

"It seems that the two sides will remain forever just making statements on the dialogue and trade accusations on who is the party which is responsible for obstructing the resumption of the dialogue," said Nabil Khatab, a Palestinian academic from Gaza.

He added that while they (Fatah and Hamas) are still having the same situation without making a dramatic change, the Palestinian people will be the only party that will keep suffering and the Palestinian life would keep deteriorating."

Khatab said that if there will be reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, Egypt and the Europeans would coordinate with both Hamas and Abbas and open Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

"If the two parties achieve reconciliation, the West Bank and Gaza Strip will be united and the Palestinians will live a better life than such a situation that makes their life a nightmare," said Khatab.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2008)