‘Russia posturing’: Palestinian rival leaders agreeing to Moscow talks ‘borne out of desperation’

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said on Wednesday he did not expect “miracles” at talks in Moscow to discuss the formation of a unified Palestinian government and the rebuilding of Gaza. The talks between representatives of Hamas and the Fatah political faction, scheduled to take place in the Russian capital on Thursday, come days after Palestinian Prime MinisterMohammad Shtayyeh resigned. The shake-up, Maliki said, was designed to build support for an expanded role for the Palestinian Authority following Israel’s war against the Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority, created about 30 years ago as part of the interim Oslo peace accords, has been undermined by accusations of ineffectiveness and the prime minister holding little effective power. Shtayyeh’s resignation marks a symbolic shift that underlines President Mahmoud Abbas’ desire to ensure the Authority maintains its claim to leadership as international pressure grows for a revival of efforts to create a Palestinian state. As talks on a unity government get underway, FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza is joined by Tahani Mustafa, International Crisis Group’s Senior Palestine Analyst.