Hamas is considering a new initiative for solving its crisis with Fatah. The idea, according to a spokesman, involves Hamas recognition of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' leadership, "as part of the legitimacy but not all of it."

The initiative includes a plan for dialogue between the warring factions and a restructuring of security services so that they are all government-run. Hamas will also commit to give back the Fatah headquarters they took from them in their recent takeover.

800 additional Arab refugees who fled Gaza during the Hama coup were allowed to return to their homes Thursday, through the Nitzana Crossing. Five such groups have returned to Gaza in recent days.