Egyptian Mediators Press Ahead with Efforts to Broker Gaza Ceasefire

A preliminary agreement has been reached on a ceasefire in exchange for Israel easing its restrictions in the Gaza Strip, said sources familiar with the negotiations held by the Egyptian intelligence delegation with Hamas and the Palestinian factions in the enclave.

The Egyptian delegation, led by Chief of Palestinian affairs in the country’s General Intelligence Service (GIS) General Ahmed Abdul Khaleq, has made proposals that were approved by Israel, the sources explained.

They include increasing the number of trucks entering the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing, expanding the fishing zone to 12 miles, improving electricity networks and supplies, facilitating export and import operations and resuming transfers of funds to the Strip.

In exchange, Hamas pledged to halt rocket fire and keep border protests under control and far from the separation fence.

The sources added that weekly demonstrations will continue, including “a million-man march” along the Israel-Gaza border.

Saturday’s demonstrations will mark the anniversary of Land Day, a day expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.

Hamas pledged to keep the demonstrations peaceful and distance protesters at least 300 meters from the fence separating Gaza from Israel provided that actual truce goes into effect.

The delegation is supposed to discuss these conditions with Israel, which insisted on halting all forms of demonstrations.

Its members met with Hamas officials, then went to Israel before returning back to Gaza late Thursday for more meetings.

It is supposed to stay until Sunday to finalize an agreement or avoid a possible escalation over Saturday’s mass march.

Among topics discussed between the delegations and Palestinian factions are the possibility of implementing infrastructure projects and opening industrial zones in order to employ more Gazans in accordance with an international mechanism.

Shortly after the delegation left, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Jamie McGoldrick arrived in the Strip in efforts to reach an agreement.