 |
| Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during their meeting in Cairo (Image: Times of Israel) |
After the nine days ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in Gaza
and mediated by Egypt was broken at the beginning of this week, Israeli Defense
Forces resumed their attacks and strikes against the “terrorist targets” and
Hamas militant’s facilities in Gaza, as Hamas in its turn continues shelling
Israeli territory on a daily basis.
Nearly 90 people in Gaza were killed since the ceasefire was broken,
most of them civilians of Gaza. There was also one Israeli child among the
victims. At least 10 people were killed in Gaza due to the Israeli military
strikes on Saturday, 23 August, and at least 4 people were killed on Sunday, 24
August, despite the efforts to hold the peace talks and to reach an agreement
about the new ceasefire.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to nearly 2105 people since the
beginning of the Israeli Operation Protective Edge, launched on the 8th
July. Most of the killed people are civilians, among them nearly 500 children,
according the UN estimations. The death toll in Israel reached the number of
68, though most of the victims were soldiers. Tens of thousands were injured
and at least 460 000 residents of Gaza were forced to flee their homes and
remain displaced.
Gaza is on the verge of a real humanitarian catastrophe now.
Meanwhile, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly
urged the residents of Gaza living in the areas where the Hamas and Islamic Jihad
fighters are operating, to evacuate due to the planned strikes, the peace talks
efforts and attempts to resolve the crisis diplomatically are ongoing, with
Egypt continuing playing a role of a mediator.
Thus, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Cairo again for
two days, meeting with Egyptian President and discussing the ceasefire proposal
plan and the possibilities of the future peace talks between all the sides.
Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi have reached an agreement
regarding this issue, what was stated during their recent press conference.
Egypt in its turn continues its efforts to resolve the crisis with the
diplomatic means, stated Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
It was stated that Egyptian ceasefire initiatives were welcomed and
accepted by the world powers and by the Palestinian political factions as well.
Mr. Abbas declared that he is ready to resume the peace talks with Hamas and
Israel after the ceasefire will be declared. Palestinian leaders also stressed
that the main Palestinian concern at the current stage is to end the bloodshed
in Gaza and then to provide humanitarian aid for the people of the besieged enclave.
Mahmoud Abbas had also the meetings with several Arab leaders including
the leaders of Qatar and the officials from the Arab League. He also praised
the role of Egypt in the current crisis resolving and supported its ceasefire
proposals. He added also that Hamas doesn’t mind the role of Egypt in the talks
and is ready for cooperation, so the sides have called for the continuation of
the negotiations after the ceasefire agreement will be reached. Egypt in its
turn called on the sides to implement the open ceasefire and to allow the talks
to be held.
As for the Israeli side, Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe Yaalon has
stated recently that Israel is also interested in the ceasefire and in the
future peace talks. But Israel insists on the necessity of the guarantees of
security for the citizens of Israel. Meanwhile Hamas demands lifting of Gaza blockade,
opening the borders and opening of Gaza airport and seaport as well.
Thus, the sides declared their readiness for the talks and the possibility
of the ceasefire, and the talks are expected to be held in the nearest future
with the mediation of Egypt and the assistance of other regional powers. Though
either Israel or Hamas demonstrates not so much breadiness for such a step at
the current stage, as the mutual attacks are ongoing.
No comments:
Post a Comment