Gaza cease-fire extended as negotiators in Cairo remain far apart
The new truce is to last through Monday. Talks in Cairo on ending the conflict in Gaza mark the first time Israel and Hamas have negotiated, albeit indirectly, on something other than prisoner exchanges.
The new truce is to last through Monday. Talks in Cairo on ending the conflict in Gaza mark the first time Israel and Hamas have negotiated, albeit indirectly, on something other than prisoner exchanges.
A daily roundup of terrorism and security issues.
Israel and Hamas extended their cease-fire for another five days this morning, the longest cessation of fighting since the current conflict in Gaza began last month.
The longer break is meant to give negotiations in Cairo more time and thus a greater chance of success. But a huge gulf between the parties remains, and聽the extension was almost immediately breached, with the Israeli military launching strikes in response to a slew of rockets from Gaza, according to Reuters.
The rapid violation of the cease-fire underlines the challenges that this cease-fire will face. Every barrage in either direction only deepens the mistrust at the negotiating table.
Negotiators are still far apart: Hamas wants an end to the blockade on Gaza, but Israel first wants an end to the rockets and the destruction of all of the tunnels that have allowed Hamas to move militants and weapons into the seaside territory.
The Associated Press laid out the parties' demands:
The Times of Israel writes that the extension of the cease-fire聽does not indicate anything promising聽in terms of negotiations.聽The Palestinian team's return home to consult with leaders may mark the end of their time in Cairo.
But, as Haaretz points out, the talks in Cairo brought about one under-the-radar diplomatic feat: the first negotiations, albeit indirect, between Israel and Hamas on something other than prisoner exchanges. "They鈥檙e discussing permanent arrangements, the kind that are made between states."聽
That accomplishment comes as differences grow between the US and Israel. The Times of Israel reports that Israeli leaders confirmed a report from The Wall Street Journal that the White House halted a routine shipment of Hellfire missiles to Israel amid frustration at its inability to exert any influence in the current conflict.
Haaretz sums up the Wall Street Journal report:
Meanwhile, with Israeli distrust of the United Nations also running deep, Israel's military has launched its own investigation into many "exceptional" incidents with significant Palestinian casualties, Haaretz reports.
Allegations of bias against Israel have gone hand-in-hand with every UN inquiry into conflicts between Israel and Gaza.