Egypt and Israel aim to bolster Gaza truce
EGYPT and Israel were holding high-level talks in both countries yesterday to shore up a fragile truce between Israel and the Hamas militant group, and rebuild the Gaza Strip after an 11-day war that left much of the enclave in ruins.
Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shukry received his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, in Cairo as part of Egypt’s efforts to revive the Middle East peace process and to “build on the ceasefire in Gaza”, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.
A spokesman said Mr Shukry called for establishing an atmosphere to relaunch “serious and constructive” negotiations between the two sides. He also urged both sides to refrain from “any measures” that could hamper efforts to revive the Middle East peace process.
It was the first public visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Egypt since 2008, the Israeli Embassy in Cairo said. It said that the two ministers were discussing topics including the ceasefire and the release of Israeli soldiers and citizens being held by Hamas.
“We will discuss establishing a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, a mechanism for providing humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza with a pivotal role played by the international community,” Mr Ashkenazi tweeted.
Hamas is holding the remains of two Israeli soldiers killed in a 2014 war. It also is holding two Israeli civilians who were captured after entering Gaza. As part of the ceasefire efforts, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Abbas Kamel, Egypt’s intelligence chief, in Jerusalem. Mr Netanyahu said he had raised the issue of returning the remains of soldiers and the civilians as well as Israeli demands to prevent Hamas from diverting resources meant for civilians.
An Egyptian official said Mr Kamel would meet Palestinian officials in the West Bank before heading to Gaza for talks with Hamas leaders. The intelligence agency usually handles Egypt’s ties with Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. News reports said Mr Kamel would convey a message to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, affirming “Egypt’s full support to the Palestinian people”.
Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip from Mr Abbas’ forces in 2007, leaving the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in charge of administering autonomous zones in some 40% of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Discussions with Israeli officials have touched on a set of measures that would allow materials, electricity and fuel into the territory, as well as the possible expansion of maritime space allowed for Gaza fishermen, the Egyptian official said.
“The role of the Palestinian Authority is central in the talks,” he said. “Egypt is seeking to have it deeply involved in the reconstruction process.”