In a breakthrough, Palestinian prez visits Israel for rare talks
JERUSALEM: Israel unveiled a package of “confidence-building measures” for the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, after defence minister Benny Gantz hosted talks with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on his first visit in years.
Abbas, leading a high-ranking delegation on his first visit to Israel for an official meeting since 2010, held talks with Gantz at his home in the central town of Rosh Haayin, according to Israeli sources and media.
“We discussed the implementation of economic and civilian measures, and emphasised the importance of deepening security coordination and preventing terror and violence - for the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians,” Gantz said after the meeting on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, Israel’s defence ministry announced “confidence-building measures” with the Palestinian Authority.
These included a $32 million (100 million shekel) advance payment to the Palestinian Authority in taxes collected on its behalf by Israel, and the granting of 600 extra permits allowing Palestinian businessmen to cross into Israel.
It also announced the regularisation of 6,000 more Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank, which has been under Israeli control since the Six-day War of 1967.
Meanwhile, an Israeli and three Palestinians were wounded on Wednesday in the first exchange of fire in months on the Gaza frontier.
The Israeli military said a civilian near the security fence was lightly wounded by gunfire from Gaza, and that it responded with tank fire at multiple military positions manned by the Hamas militant group, which has ruled the territory since 2007.
The Gaza health ministry said three Palestinians were wounded, without saying if they were civilians or fighters.