Palestinian Factions Seek Reconciliation Amid Escalating West Bank Violence

Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, are meeting in Egypt to discuss reconciliation efforts and ways to restore national unity and end the division. However, expectations for the one-day meeting are low, as previous attempts have failed. The meeting comes amid escalating violence in the West Bank, where Israeli raids have led to some of the worst fighting in nearly two decades. The meeting is chaired by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and attended by other leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad boycotted the gathering. Egypt has been acting as a mediator in the infighting between Palestinian factions and has helped broker truces between Israel and Hamas.