Gaza Cease-Fire Steps Negotiated In Cairo
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Iron Dome system intercepts a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip before the cease-fire. (Creative Commons)
Officials from Israel and Gaza have refused to comment, and would not confirm that a delegation had even entered Cairo.
Hamas deputy political leader Mousa Abu Marzook said Monday that the militant group would not rule out rocket attacks if Israel were to attack Iran, and also confirmed that Hamas would continue to seek more weapons despite the fragile cease-fire.
READ MORE: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Off To A Rocky Start
Abu Marzook said that the focus of Monday’s talks would be on loosening Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, but warned that prolonged negotiations could threaten to destroy the cease-fire.
READ MORE: Will There Ever Be Peace Between Israel And Gaza?
However, the New York Times reports that this may not be Israel’s focus in the initial stages of talks:
It was agreed at the time that within 24 hours of the cease-fire, the parties would begin dealing with broader issues like easing restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza and allowing Palestinians more access to a buffer zone that Israel had imposed on the Gaza side of the Israel-Gaza border.
Israeli officials have confirmed that talks are to be held on those issues but have so far focused on aspects of the agreement that Israel considers beneficial to it: an understanding with the American backers of the agreement about a new international effort to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza, and the fact that Israel will be talking only to the Egyptians. The Israelis said they hoped that Egypt would also be part of the effort to stop the flow of weapons mainly supplied by Iran.
The cease-fire agreement was reached on Wednesday after eight days of fighting, which left more than 160 Palestinians and 6 Israelis dead.
MORE: Israel And Hamas Reach Gaza Ceasefire After Eight Days Of Fighting
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