A field commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, - the military wing of the Fatah Palestinian movement, Zaki as-Saqani, has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars on terrorism charges by a court martial in Gaza, The Voice of Russia reported.

As-Saqani was arrested in August 2008 on suspicion of involvement in the terrorist attack that killed five members of the Hamas movement, which is in control of the Gaza Strip.

Fatah said the verdict was unfair and politically motivated.

The Head of the Palestinian National Administration Mahmoud Abbas, who is also the leader of Fatah and the Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal are due to hold consultations on reconciliation in Cairo January 9.