BICOM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit to Colombia next week in order to deal with events in Gaza and potentially agree a long term ceasefire deal.

Netanyahu will convene his security Cabinet on Sunday to discuss a long-term ceasefire deal with Hamas, brokered by the UN and Egypt, an Israeli official said. Reports suggest that talks have been underway on two parallel tracks: one on the rehabilitation of Gaza and the other on prisoner exchange.

In an unusual move, Israel allowed Hamas Political Bureau Deputy Director Saleh al-Arouri, previously linked to terrorist activity inside Israel, to enter the Gaza Strip and meet Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniya. According to Yediot Ahronot: “This measure attests to the advanced stages that the negotiations have reached, even if both sides deny that they exist”.

Earlier this week, Israel facilitated the transfer into Gaza of a equipment and materials to complete the construction of a large desalination plant in Gaza. The equipment will also enable Palestinians to build eight large water reservoirs.

Amos Harel reports in Haaretz  that Egyptian intelligence officials have put “heavy pressure on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to formulate a new reconciliation agreement to replace the one signed last October but never put into effect”.

The PA have apparently demanded that Hamas “hand over the keys” for managing day-to-day affairs in Gaza and place restrictions of its security forces in the Strip. Sources close to the negotiations say Hamas and the PA are “more than halfway” to an agreement.”