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Despite no clear diplomatic path, reports of ceasefire developments persist

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Rumours of a potential temporary ceasefire emerged yesterday but were quickly dashed as the diplomatic path towards a truce remained unclear.

Yesterday afternoon, senior Fatah member Yasser Abd Rabbo said that the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was ready to announce a 24-hour ceasefire with the possibility of extending it an additional two days. However, less than an hour later, Hamas denied that such an agreement had been reached. Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri said, “We will not agree to calm until Israel commits to quiet” via an “international commitment.” Later yesterday, in a rare recorded clip, Mohammed Deif, Hamas’ military leader declared “We won’t accept interim solutions, and Israel must know that it send its troops to hell.” He added that Hamas will be victorious as its fighters “are eager for death” while Israel’s are eager for life.

Amid the conflicting developments, it was widely reported yesterday that representatives of Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad were travelling to Cairo to discuss the Egyptian ceasefire initiative, which was backed two weeks ago by Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA), the Arab League and much of the international community. According to Haaretz, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has been talking to all Palestinian factions about finding a way to use the Egyptian proposal as a basis for ceasefire talks with Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel Radio news this morning reports that a Turkish envoy has arrived in Israel in an attempt to mediate between Israel and Hamas. The same report says that Israel has permitted Turkey to transfer humanitarian aid to Gaza through Ben-Gurion Airport.

Haaretz also reports that Israel’s Foreign Ministry has advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to initiate a United Nations Security Council resolution on the terms for ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip. A similar initiative ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and the report claims that some Israeli officials believe it would be an effective method to advance Israeli interests.