BICOM

Hamas leaders said yesterday that they are confident a ceasefire can be agreed with Israel, despite two of its fighters being killed earlier in the day after firing on Israeli soldiers.

In an interview with Turkish media, a senior Hamas official said that an agreement could be completed by the end of August. The UN and Egyptian-brokered agreement is believed to include the permanent opening of the Rafah Crossing,  relaxing entry conditions at the Kerem Shalom Crossing, a five year ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the return of bodies of Israelis and captives held by Hamas and a complete end to the launching of flying firebombs and balloons into Israel.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya updated other Palestinian factions in Gaza yesterday on the ongoing talks over intra-Palestinian reconciliation, a ceasefire with Israel and lifting of the blockade. Its deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri, is expected to arrive in Cairo today to deliver an official response to the proposed agreement. The Israeli security Cabinet is scheduled to convene tomorrow to discuss a ceasefire agreement.

In yesterday’s incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired at a Hamas position near Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, killing two members of Hamas’ military wing who had opened fire at IDF soldiers. The IDF assessed that the shots were fired at a border patrol team by two snipers from a special Hamas unit. Unlike previous confrontations, the IDF returned fired immediately, without waiting for Hamas personnel to evacuate their positions.

Hamas claimed the IDF attacked a military exercise that was showcasing the fighting capabilities of Hamas’ naval commando unit in front of senior leaders, including Salah al-Arouri and Hamas co-founder Mahmoud a-Zahar. Hamas said in a statement that “The resistance will not accept a policy of attacking its positions and fighters without Israel paying the price.”