London-based As-Shark al-Ausat said that Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since June, is proposing that administrative agencies, security installations, and border crossing points in the enclave be transferred to the temporary control of the Egyptian government.
They would be returned to Palestinian control once professional security structures have been formed with no party affiliation, the paper said.
Hamas will also urge Fatah to end anti-Hamas propaganda and start constructive dialogue. The main goal of inter-Palestinian negotiations should be the formation of a central national unity government that would run both the West Bank and Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah forces were left in a weakened position after the June coup in Gaza, in control of only the West Bank.
Israel has thrown its support behind the Palestinian leader since the Hamas takeover, and is set to release almost 90 Palestinian prisoners, mainly Fatah fighters, early next week in a bid to bolster support for Abbas. The president also has the support of the U.S. and 'moderate' Arab states, including Egypt, which often plays host to Palestinian-Israeli talks.
Abbas met with United States President George W. Bush on Monday, along with Middle East envoy Tony Blair. At the talks, the Palestinian leader expressed his support for the U.S.-proposed Mideast peace conference to be held in November, and said it must lay the groundwork for a permanent status agreement with Israel to ensure long-term peace.
Israel moved to further isolate Hamas last week, declaring the Gaza strip an "enemy entity," threatening fuel and power supply cuts, and later imposing financial sanctions against the impoverished enclave, home to 1.5 million.
