Disputes in Hamas due to Palestinian central council meeting

There are disputes prevailing in the Hamas movement due to the participation of the movement's spiritual mentor in the meetings of the Palestinian central council held at Gaza last week under the chairmanship of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

The official spokesman of the movement abroad Abraham Gosheh said that the decision of Sheikh Yassin to participate was local, not central, while he was opposed by the engineer Ismael Abu Shanab, saying it was a central decision.

Meanwhile Sheikh Yassin said his participation in these meetings was a direct message to the whole world that "despite the disputes and difficulties we confront, our people can be unified to confront the occupation and challenge the impasses."

Sheikh Yassin also called for getting rid of the Oslo accords and subsequent agreements.