BICOM

US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday urged Hamas to accept an Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire proposal approved by Israel, as diplomatic efforts continued to broker a truce in the Gaza fighting.

Kerry met yesterday in Cairo with the Arab League’s Secretary General and Egyptian officials, including a two-hour meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt is considered the most likely intermediary between Israel and Hamas, who last week 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.

Following his meeting with President al-Sisi, Kerry backed the Egyptian plan, saying, “There is a framework available to end the violence … The international community is coming together … because we’ve seen too much bloodshed on all sides.” He added that, “Hamas has a fundamental choice to make and it is a choice that will have a profound impact for the people of Gaza.” Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said, “We have reached a common vision … It has received broad and wide international support.”

Also yesterday, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ban said that he “fully shares” Israel’s legitimate security concerns and right to defend itself, but called for military restraint. Ban added that he had the same message for both sides, “Stop fighting, start talking, and take on the root causes of the conflict.” Netanyahu asked that the international community take a “clear stand” in holding Hamas to account for “starting and prolonging this conflict.”

Meanwhile, AFP reports that Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas is continuing to talk with Hamas officials about adopting the Egyptian ceasefire proposal. Israel Radio news this morning quotes unnamed senior Israeli officials who indicated that Israel would accept the presence of PA forces in Gaza and a generous international aid package for Gaza as part of a ceasefire arrangement.