Palestinians are watching with interest, and perhaps some confusion, as their leaders exchange contradictory messages about prospects of national reconciliation and peace with Israel.

Overnight, Ismail Haniya told the media Hamas' control over Gaza was temporary, suggesting his movement would be willing to give up its 4-month-old control of Gaza in exchange for renewed dialogue with President Abbas and the Fatah movement.

He also alluded to efforts by some Arab capitals to reunify the divided Palestinian people.

Speaking earlier to Palestine TV, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, made it clear there are conditions for dialogue with Hamas to resume.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation echoes Abbas' demands. Immediately following the Gaza takeover, the PLO considered it a coup -- a dangerous precedent in domestic Palestinian politics that should not be endorsed.

But despite the confusion, the timing of this exchange is significant. Four months after the violent Hamas takeover of Gaza, the movement is isolated and sidelined with the international community, including many Arab states, backing Abbas.

Momentum is also picking up on the Israeli-Palestinian track -- with the PLO now preparing for an upcoming peace summit in the US while engaging in what has been described as tough negotiations with Israel on key issues.

Observers say the Palestinian division is sure to weaken the president's position in ongoing negotiations - but it doesn't seem he's willing to reach national unity at any cost.

Opinion polls also show an increasing frustration with the Palestinian geographical and political division. But it seems the people's aspirations for a united and reconciled Palestinian political leadership will have to wait for now.

Nour Odeh, Al Jazeera