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Cairo talks precariously poised as Gaza ceasefire enters final day
With the current five-day ceasefire set to expire at midnight, there is little indication that indirect talks between Israeli and Palestinian delegations in Cairo will result in a longer-term truce.
Talks will continue today, but an unnamed senior Israeli diplomatic official is widely reported as saying, “It is not clear whether there will be an agreement.” The same source is quoted by Haaretz explaining, “If the [rocket] fire resumes, Israel will respond forcefully,” but that “if the fire does not resume … we will examine whether we can come to some other arrangement and provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.”
It is thought that under the Egyptian proposal currently on the table, both sides would halt military action and Israel would agree to ease certain restrictions such as fishing limitations. However, it is thought that the core issues of Gaza’s demilitarisation as demanded by Israel and Hamas’s key demand for unrestricted movement in and out of Gaza, would be discussed only at a later date.
Speaking to his cabinet yesterday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that, “Only if there will be a clear answer to our security needs will we agree to any understandings.” He warned that Israel will remain “steadfast and united” until “quiet and security” is fully restored. In recent days, some cabinet members have proposed alternative strategies. Finance Minister Yair Lapid has suggested an international conference to find a long-term resolution for Gaza, while Economy Minister Naftali Bennett has advocated leaving the Cairo talks entirely, ending contact with Hamas.
However, there appear to be more serious divisions within the Palestinian delegation, which includes representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Hamas and other factions. Hamas apparently rejects the Egyptian initiative, with spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri quoted by AP saying “The Israelis will only return to their homes when the resistance decides.” However, AP says that the PA and even the Islamic Jihad faction is inclined to accept the Egyptian plan.