BICOM

Egypt is expected to announce this weekend that a truce arrangement has been agreed between Israel and Hamas. The deal has been achieved through indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, mediated by the UN and Egypt.

The agreement will be implemented gradually and is conditional on a comprehensive ceasefire. The first phase was implemented this week and included the reopening of Gaza’s border crossings and the expansion of the Gaza fishing zone. The next phases include medical and humanitarian assistance, reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure with foreign funding, a resolution to the issue of the bodies of missing soldiers, captured civilians and prisoners and finally discussions about an airport and seaport for Gaza.

The terms are similar to the agreement reached after Operation Protective Edge in 2014. An Israeli official told Israeli media:”Only to the extent that the quiet is maintained for an extended period will Israel agree to discuss the humanitarian projects that depend upon Israel, on the condition that negotiations are also undertaken to return [the bodies of Israeli MIAs and two Israeli civilians being held there.] The media reports of a sea pier involve topics that came up in their talks with the mediators, but there is no consensus on that in Israel.”

Jewish Home leader and Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked have both apparently opposed the agreement. The Prime Minister’s Office and the Defence Minister have so far not commented on the reports that an agreement has been reached.  Hamas and Islamic Jihad have also denied reports of a truce and the agreement has been criticised in the Palestinian media as being  “a capitulation to Israel”.

A senior Israeli political source told reporters: “there will be no real arrangement with Hamas without the return of our sons and civilians and a the promise of prolonged calm.”

According to this source: “The current calm is the result of tough IDF operations, which will continue as needed. The calm was achieved following the understandings promoted by Egypt and the UN… As long as this commitment is maintained, humanitarian issues, including the return of our sons and civilians, can be addressed.”

The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese network Al Mayadeen reported that the terms of the deal include a year-long ceasefire, operation of a shipping route between Cyprus and the Gaza Strip under Israeli supervision and Qatari funding for fuel in Gaza.