BICOM

International efforts to mediate a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and armed groups in the Gaza Strip have intensified in the last 24 hours. Talks took place yesterday in Cairo including leaders from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders met with President Mursi, and Israeli officials confirmed an Israeli representative had arrived in Cairo last night, according to Haaretz. Various reports about the terms of a possible ceasefire are emerging. According to Haaretz, senior officials in Jerusalem have spoken about a two stage deal, beginning with an immediate cessation of rocket firing, followed by a longer term set of guarantees for cessation of rocket firing and weapons smuggling. Yediot Ahronot is reporting a single source from Cairo that Israel’s ceasefire terms include the demand for a 15-year lull in attacks. Hamas is seeking the opening of more crossings into the Gaza Strip through its borders with Egypt and Israel, and a lifting of Israel’s naval blockade. Israel is reportedly threatening a ground offensive within 48 to 72 hours if Hamas does not meet its demands.

Foreign Secretary William Hague cautioned yesterday that Israel would risk losing its international support if it escalated to a ground offensive, and said that Gaza would be high on the agenda for a meeting of EU foreign ministers taking place in Brussels today. In the next two days Ban Ki Moon, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the foreign ministers of the Arab League are all expected to visit the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius arrived in Israel yesterday. Western governments are pushing Sunni Islmamist powers with influence over Hamas, in particular Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, to persuade the group to stop its attacks.