Egypt tries to salvage Israel-Hamas cease-fire

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

CAIRO (AP) — With a deadline just hours away, Egyptian mediators shuttled between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in hopes of salvaging a long-term cease-fire arrangement that would allow reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following a monthlong war that killed more than 2,000 people.

In an apparent attempt to pressure Hamas, Egypt said it would co-host an international fundraising conference for Gaza, but only if a deal is reached. Israel, meanwhile, said in recent months it had arrested nearly 100 Hamas operatives in the West Bank in an alleged plot to topple Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Since last week, Egypt has been hosting indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending a devastating monthlong war. But just hours before a temporary five-day truce was to expire at midnight, it remained unclear whether a long-term deal would be reached.

Gaza Health Ministry official Ashraf al-Kidra said Monday the death toll from the fighting had jumped to over 2,000 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, while U.N. officials, who often take more time to verify figures, put the number at 1,976. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and tens of thousands of people remain huddled in special U.N. shelters. Israel lost 67 people, all but three of them soldiers.

FULL story at link.



Palestinians stand in what is left of the home of Amer Abu Aisheh, one of three Palestinians identified by Israel as suspects in the killing of three Israeli teenagers, after it was demolished by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron, Monday, Aug. 18 , 2014. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140818/ml--israel-palestinians-e28487c8d2.html

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. That whole Israeli house demolishing thing is so barbaric.

But I hope there is an agreement that allows for the end of the blockade of Gaza.

[azurnoir]

2. Palestinian delegation: We are waiting on Israeli cabinet

A member of the Palestinian delegation to Cairo confirmed Monday night that the Palestinians told Egypt they were prepared to sign the Egyptian agreement on a permanent ceasefire.

The sources said a comprehensive lifting of the blockade was included in the agreement, as well as the extension of the permitted fishing zone (up to 12 miles) and the release of Palestinian detainees from the West Bank.

"The two sides also agreed to postpone – for a month – discussions on a seaport and airport."

Throughout Monday night, conflicting reports emerged from Cairo regarding the forthcoming agreement and its contents.

While Palestinian sources expressed optimism that the fighting would not resume at midnight, Israeli officials continued to emphasize that the IDF was prepared to resume its operations.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4560062,00.html