Tough issues

"Even though the tough issues are not yet on the table, the step-by-step approach taken by both sides provides a ray of hope. The real test of the agreement, of course, will be its implementation on the ground," said Siddiqa.

Muslim Imran, director at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue, a think tank in Malaysia, told China Daily the Palestinian political groups and resistance factions should conduct continuous dialogues in order to formulate national agenda and reform their national institutions.

But he believes it is hard to form a united Palestinian bloc. He also said the Palestinians have been trying to talk to Israelis, but "there is a rising right-wing surge in Israel", making it impossible to reach any peace or settlement.

Abbas said in the meeting that "the continued barbaric Israeli aggression obliges us all to rise to the level of true national responsibility", and to "confront this occupation that targets our existence, our rights and our sanctities".

He said he invited heads of factions for the meeting "to study ways to achieve national unity", adding that they "have practiced different forms of struggle at different stages in our national march", and that peaceful popular resistance, at this stage, "is the best way to continue our struggle and achieve our national goals".

Imran said Abbas was "more inclined to stick to the peace process" and the Israeli side "does not want to talk peace".

"To me, the most important thing is that these talks are taking place. The Palestinians don't need mediators. The Palestinians should not wait for mediators to bring them to talk to each other. They should continue to have direct channels of communication," said Imran.