The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas, on Sunday accused its rival Fatah movement of blocking the progress of unity talks the factions hold in Cairo.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, said that Fatah still crack down against Hamas's supporters in West Bank.

"Fatah is still deceiving and it doesn't meet its obligations, it released 45 of our prisoners in West Bank but arrested 39 new people," Barhoum said.

"The continuation of the arrests is an obstacle and Hamas will not sign any deal without completely and seriously ending the political arrests issue," Barhoum added.

The Palestinian factions started dialogue in Cairo, aiming at reconciling Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and forming a unity government to boost the reconciliation.

The dialogue also aims at overcoming the political schism, widened in 2007 after Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and seized Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Barhoum said that Fatah bear conflicting stances over the formation of the unity government. "Fatah demands that the upcoming government be without political tasks, at the same time, it stipulates that the government must abide by the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) commitments."

Hamas translates respecting the PLO's commitments as recognition of Israel.