BICOM

Media speculation has emerged regarding several ceasefire initiatives after Hamas on Tuesday rejected an Egyptian-sponsored truce, which Israel had approved.

Hamas yesterday formally rejected the Egyptian initiative, which would have seen an end to Israeli air strikes, while Hamas would have put an end to all types of attacks on Israel. The proposal also suggested talks within 48 hours on topics including increasingly open borders and flow of goods between Israel and Gaza. However, Hamas yesterday issued its own maximalist demands for far-reaching Israeli concessions, including the release of Hamas activists recently re-arrested by Israel and the removal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s borders.

Yesterday, US President Barack Obama said that he supports Egypt’s efforts and that the United States is “working with our partners in the region to pursue a cease-fire.” It is reported by Israeli media this morning that an Israeli and a Hamas delegation are in Cairo participating in talks for a comprehensive ceasefire. Israel Radio news says that the two sides are not talking face to face, but that Egypt is arbitrating in a Cairo hotel. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman says that Hamas had felt “insulted” by the manner and content of the original Egyptian proposal, but “it is clear that Hamas is looking for every possible way of ending the fighting.” However, Haaretz suggests that Hamas was encouraged by Turkey and Qatar to turn down the Egyptian ceasefire.

Meanwhile, in the Times of Israel, Avi Issacharoff says that Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas will meet today in Cairo with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Arab League representatives and Quartet envoy Tony Blair. Abbas will apparently propose that PA forces take charge of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza and that they also work closely with Israeli forces at the Erez crossing. Such an arrangement would allow Abbas to reassert his authority which has been somewhat overshadowed since Operation Protective Edge was launched.