Egyptian Delegation in Gaza, Ramallah to Follow Up on Reconciliation Efforts

Arab World

September 11th, 10:26am

Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat

Palestinian women walk upon the debris of a house which witnesses said was destroyed in an Israeli air strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip August 4, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

An Egyptian security delegation held a series of talks in Israel and the Gaza Strip, focusing on security issues and progress in reconciliation efforts. The delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, through the Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint, after talks with Israeli officials. It also met with Hamas officials before returning to Israel. Sources close to Hamas told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt “directly supervised the issues of reconciliation and truce”. “Although there has been progress in both matters, the latter still believes that following up on the matter remains an Egyptian affair,” the sources underlined. Qatar succeeded for the first time in reaching a truce settlement without Egypt’s intervention. Palestinians factions have met directly via video conference for a reconciliation agreement and formed committees for that purpose. However, the reconciliation agreement requires consensus over many details that can only be solved through Egypt, such as managing the Rafah crossing and securing the borders. The truce agreement also highlights issues that Egypt has been directly supervising, including a possible prisoner swap deal and Israel’s canceling of the last set of sanctions imposed on the Gaza Strip. Israel has reopened the crossings and pumped fuel to the Strip, while allowing fishermen to return to the sea. But Hamas is hoping for the lifting of the blockade and the establishment of huge projects, free trade areas and a floating port. Tel Aviv, for its part, wants the release of its soldiers and citizens abducted by Hamas, while the latter wants the freedom for hundreds of prisoners detained in Israel. The sources said that the recent truce agreement might open the door for the completion of the prisoners’ deal. “Egypt and other mediators have been following this matter for some time,” they noted.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2501751/egyptian-delegation-gaza-ramallah-follow-reconciliation-efforts