The sources said Zahar has been joined by others in the Hamas
leadership who oppose the reconciliation deal with Fatah. They said the
opposition was focused on Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Masha'al and
his approval for the Palestinian Authority to negotiate with Israel.
Zahar was said to have been joined by deputy political bureau chief
Mussa Abu Marzouk. The sources said both men have been angered by Masha'al's
refusal to halt PA negotiations with Israel as part of reconciliation.
"The moment we allow the PA to represent Hamas in negotiating with
Israel we become complicit in the results," the source said. "This is
exactly what Israel and the West want."
The sources said this marked the biggest dispute within Hamas. They said
disagreements over the composition of the so-called technocrat national
unity government were expected to be resolved.
For his part, Zahar has acknowledged a dispute within the Hamas
leadership. But he said the dispute would not divide the movement.
"There are differences within the movement, such as differences within
the family, but it does not reach conflicts or divisions," Zahar
said. "The ties will be resolved soon within the movement."