Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday as reports began to emerge of a possible ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
According to the Hebrew news site Walla, Abbas and al-Sisi met at the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh in the Sinai and discussed developments in the region.
The meeting came after Palestinian newspaper al-Quds reported that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt. The understanding reportedly involves “quiet for quiet” and a series of staged incentives.
Border crossings between Israel and Gaza will be opened permanently, with Israel permitted to inspect and confiscate any materials that “could affect its security.” The fishing zone around the Strip will be expanded and a series of humanitarian projects will be undertaken. Israel will also allow fuel to enter the Strip for Gaza’s power plant.
These reports follow the publication of what were alleged to be clauses of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire in the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, Israel’s Channel Two reported. They are quite similar to those reported in Palestinian media.
In exchange for Israeli concessions, the report said, Hamas will contain the ongoing violence on the border connected to the “March of Return” riots and punish violators.
In addition, Egypt will work to lift 70 percent of the ongoing blockade of the Strip and Israel will give 5,000 work permits to Gaza residents.
The Algemeiner (c) 2018 . Benjamin Kerstein
{Matzav.com}
