Palestinians agree new three-day ceasefire
Palestinian negotiators have accepted an Egyptian proposal for a new, three-day ceasefire with Israel.
The decision aims to clear the way for renewed negotiations with Israel on a long-term truce arrangement in the Gaza Strip.
The officials, representing various Palestinian factions, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing sensitive negotiations.
Israel walked away from negotiations over the weekend after rocket fire resumed, saying it would not negotiate under fire.
Heavy fighting between Israel and Gaza militants has killed more than 1,900 Palestinians, as well as 67 people on the Israeli side.
Today’s decision was aimed at bringing the Israelis back to the negotiations. There was no immediate Israeli response.
“We are here to look for an agreement. We cannot have an agreement without talks, so we accepted an Egyptian proposal to have a ceasefire for 72 hours in order to resume the talks,” said a Palestinian negotiator.
The Egyptian-mediated talks are aimed at brokering a long-term truce arrangement between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip following the heaviest fighting between the bitter enemies since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
The fighting ended in a temporary 72-hour ceasefire last Tuesday, during which Egypt had hoped to mediate a longer-term agreement. But when the three-day window expired, militants resumed their rocket fire, sparking new Israeli reprisals. The violence has continued throughout the weekend, albeit not as strong as at the height of the fighting.
Earlier today, Palestinians threatened to quit the negotiations if Israel did not return, while Israeli leaders said there would be no talks while the rocket fire continues.
“Israel will not negotiate under fire,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, warning his country’s military campaign “will take time”.
Hamas is seeking an end to an Israeli-Egypt blockade that has decimated the local economy.
Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent arms smuggling, and it says Hamas must disarm as part of any long-term arrangement. Hamas has said handing over its weapons arsenal, which is believed to include several thousand remaining rockets, is inconceivable.
