Hamas intends to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its founding on Thursday by holding a massive rally in the Samaria (Shomron) city of Shechem. It intends to do the same in Hevron on Saturday.
This is a significant change of policy and may signal closer rapprochement between the rival groups.
Ever since Hamas forcibly achieved control in Gaza in 2007 and expelled the Palestinian Authority and Fatah from the area, even hurling Fatah members from the roofs of buildings, the PA, fearing a takeover, has refused to allow it to hold any rallies or celebrations in Judea and Samaria on the yearly anniversary of its founding.
However, the permission was granted this time because Hamas decided to allow Fatah to celebrate its January 1 founding in Gaza this year.