Egyptian plan, with US and EU backing, engages Hamas, PA and Israel in resolving Gaza crisis

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Date: 09 / 03 / 2008 Time: 11:43



Bethlehem – Ma'an – Egyptian diplomatic sources revealed the details of a ceasefire proposal that Cairo plans to present to Israel and to Palestinian leaders from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

The sources told the Al-Hayat newspaper in London, that "Egypt is working to calm the situation in Gaza in preparation for procedures that allow the easing of the siege on the Palestinian people," adding that American and European government officials had expressed support for the plan.

They explained that the Egyptian role is larger than just mediation between Hamas and Israel, because it aims to achieve a truce, an end to the Israeli blockade, and a resumption of talks between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

"After the events of the border crossing, the Egyptian leadership felt the need to reach an end to this situation," the sources said, referring to the breach of the Gaza-Egypt border wall in late January. Egypt, the sources said, wants to end "the ongoing embargo, and the suffocating and humiliating situation of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

The Egyptian proposal includes four main points:

1. An end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza through the reinstatement of the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA). Under the proposal, Hamas' views would be taken into account before the reinstatement of the treaty.

2 – In return for an end to the Israeli blockade, Palestinian military groups will stop launching homemade projectiles from the Gaza Strip.

3 – Hamas will allow the Palestinian Authority's forces into the Strip so that they can be posted at the crossing points.

4 - In return for this, Israel will refrain from violent attacks on the Gaza Strip.


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