News
Kerry heading to region to advance ceasefire efforts
US Secretary of State John Kerry will fly to Egypt’s capital Cairo today in an attempt to help make progress towards a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Last week, Hamas rejected an Israeli-approved Egyptian initiative which would have seen an end to Israeli air strikes and all types of Hamas attacks on Israel. Talks on border crossings within 48 hours was also part of the proposal. Kerry reiterated yesterday on ABC that Hamas has “been offered a ceasefire, and they’ve refused to take the ceasefire,” instead “they’ve just stubbornly invited further efforts … to be able to rocket Israel.” Kerry also told CNN that Hamas must “step up and show a level of reasonableness.”
Kerry is likely to be joined in Cairo by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, who met yesterday in Qatar with Hamas’s political leader Khaled Mashaal. Abbas has encouraged Hamas to accept a truce, telling a recent press conference in Turkey “Israel accepted the ceasefire proposal. We [the Palestinians] must also accept.”
Speaking at a press conference of his own yesterday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel had been in touch with the PA and Abbas over a potential ceasefire, commenting, “I think there is in principle common interests regarding Hamas.” Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman suggests a role for Abbas in efforts towards a ceasefire, saying that a way forward could be found if the PA becomes responsible for the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza and a solution is found for paying Hamas’s civil servants, possibly through the Arab League.
Netanyahu also spoke yesterday with several world leaders including Prime Minister David Cameron. Downing Street released a statement saying that Cameron “reiterated the UK’s strong support for Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself.” He also “expressed condolences for the deaths of Israeli troops and concern about mounting civilian casualties in Gaza.” In addition, Cameron also urged a lasting ceasefire in line with the recent Egyptian initiative.