Hamas senior officials: We have reached understandings with Israel on a ceasefire

August 26, 2014   

Will it happen this time? Senior Hamas officials in Cairo announced that they have reached understandings with Israel on a ceasefire agreement, which will go into effect this evening. Israel has not made any official comment.

Senior Palestinian officials in Cairo say today that understandings and agreements have been reached with Israel regarding a long-term ceasefire. They say an official announcement on this will be made in the coming hours.

According to reports, efforts are being made to announce a ceasefire as early as 7:00 PM.

דובר חמאס בעזה סאמי אבו-זוהרי, אישר את הדיווחים ואמר כי ישראל והפלסטינים הגיעו להבנות על הסכמת אש ארוכת-טווח ברצועת עזה בהתאם ליוזמה המצרית. לדבריו, "אנו ממתינים להודעה מקהיר כדי לקבוע את השעה ליישום ההבנות". ראש המשלחת הפלסטינית לקהיר, עזאם אל-אחמד, אמר: "הגענו להסכם עם כל הצדדים כדי לסיים את התוקפנות ולהגיע להפסקת אש. ההסכם מספק את צרכי העם הפלסטיני, הפעם זה צריך להצליח".

Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official participating in the talks in Cairo, also said this afternoon: "The negotiations have ended and we have reached understandings that crown the steadfast stance of the Palestinian people and the victory of the resistance. We are awaiting the official announcement to set the time for the ceasefire and the declaration of the ceasefire and the cessation of Israeli aggression.".

Earlier, Ismail Haniyeh said: "We are very close to reaching political understandings that will coordinate the firm stance of our people and complement the achievements of the 'resistance'.".

According to Palestinian sources, the understandings are based on the previous Egyptian proposals, with minor amendments: an agreement will be reached on opening the crossings for the transfer of humanitarian equipment.

A senior Islamic Jihad official told the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat: "The Egyptian document will strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip and perpetuate its status." According to him, the Authority will supervise the crossings, and the reconstruction of Gaza will also be carried out under its supervision, and with Israeli supervision. He added that it was decided to comply with the agreement so that no more Palestinian children would be killed. The source also said that "Israel failed in its attempt to achieve its goal - to disarm the Gaza Strip and prevent the construction of tunnels.".

 In about a month after the ceasefire stabilizes, the demilitarization of the Strip and the establishment of a seaport and airport will be discussed.

Israel is currently refusing to respond to the reports.

At the same time, at 7:00 PM, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to convene a special meeting of the Palestinian government, at which the latest developments will be presented, and according to sources, there is progress regarding the surprising political initiative that Mahmoud Abbas presented at the end of the week.