08-06-2014, 01:19 PM
CEASE-FIRE/TRUCE RESPECTED -- HAMAS MEETINGS HELD IN CAIRO
Egyptian officials have begun talks with Hamas in Cairo. The first step is reportedly hashing out a set of conditions under which Hamas would agree to extending the truce with Israel.
Israel has already said that they require the demilitarization of Hamas. I don't know if Hamas would consider demilitarization in exchange for concessions.
A large number of Palestinians are returning to their previous hoods in search of personal items where their homes once stood and to get supplies.
![[Image: Gazabeforeandafter_zps66b99fce.jpg?t=1407257870]](http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s500/HairOfTheDog1337/Gazabeforeandafter_zps66b99fce.jpg?t=1407257870)
The Palestinians are essentially trapped on a very small strip of land, the most densely populated in the world, and are not allowed to cross the borders without Israeli permission -- even to visit family in the West Bank. Gaza is a refugee camp in the truest sense of the word.
Egypt has a horse in this race and is more than just an intermediary in the negotiations. It cut off the tunnels into the country after Morsi was ousted and the new government pushed out the Islamic Brotherhood which is affiliated with Hamas. It's being reported that Hamas may well demand/request Egyptian blockades to be lifted as well.
Hamas is responsible for some of the distrust and repercussions which are keeping the Gaza Palestinians down, no doubt in my mind. But I also don't doubt that settlement expansion and heavy handedness by Israel is a real and significant factor contributing to the Palestinians sense of despair and rebellion.
Israeli PM Netanyahu is not truly of the mindset to return land since developed with Israeli settlements back to Palestinian control under the pre-1967 borders, with Palestine becoming an independent second state. That's my opinion. Polls indicate that the majority of Israelis don't believe that he is either. In my view, his continued development of settlements despite most of the world declaring it a violation of international law, along with his public statements, point far from that direction.
So,I'm hoping that Hamas will consider gaining some, not all, of what it wants in these current truce negotiations and that Israel is prepared to make reasonable concessions. A lot of physical damage was done to Gaza over the past 4 weeks whilst Israel incurred a lot of damage in terms of image and global credibility in the process, IMO. The UN has called out Hamas for using its schools and shelters for weapons storage and condemned Israel for not doing enough to avoid civilian deaths in choosing its targets. The UN has also accused both sides of possible war crimes. Maybe the Israelis and Palestinians have had enough for the time being and are more willing than usual to do what it takes to give it a rest for an extended period? Maybe. Hopefully.
Personally, I think a reset of border policy might go a long away in negotiating an extension to the truce and be a jumping board for longer term peace, though that would likely require a third party performing border patrol. Giving the Palestinians some more freedom is what I think and hope is at least an option that is put on the table this week.
Hoping for the cease-fire to hold and some good-faith negotiations to take foot before the 72 hours expires.
Egyptian officials have begun talks with Hamas in Cairo. The first step is reportedly hashing out a set of conditions under which Hamas would agree to extending the truce with Israel.
Israel has already said that they require the demilitarization of Hamas. I don't know if Hamas would consider demilitarization in exchange for concessions.
A large number of Palestinians are returning to their previous hoods in search of personal items where their homes once stood and to get supplies.
The Palestinians are essentially trapped on a very small strip of land, the most densely populated in the world, and are not allowed to cross the borders without Israeli permission -- even to visit family in the West Bank. Gaza is a refugee camp in the truest sense of the word.
Egypt has a horse in this race and is more than just an intermediary in the negotiations. It cut off the tunnels into the country after Morsi was ousted and the new government pushed out the Islamic Brotherhood which is affiliated with Hamas. It's being reported that Hamas may well demand/request Egyptian blockades to be lifted as well.
Hamas is responsible for some of the distrust and repercussions which are keeping the Gaza Palestinians down, no doubt in my mind. But I also don't doubt that settlement expansion and heavy handedness by Israel is a real and significant factor contributing to the Palestinians sense of despair and rebellion.
Israeli PM Netanyahu is not truly of the mindset to return land since developed with Israeli settlements back to Palestinian control under the pre-1967 borders, with Palestine becoming an independent second state. That's my opinion. Polls indicate that the majority of Israelis don't believe that he is either. In my view, his continued development of settlements despite most of the world declaring it a violation of international law, along with his public statements, point far from that direction.
So,I'm hoping that Hamas will consider gaining some, not all, of what it wants in these current truce negotiations and that Israel is prepared to make reasonable concessions. A lot of physical damage was done to Gaza over the past 4 weeks whilst Israel incurred a lot of damage in terms of image and global credibility in the process, IMO. The UN has called out Hamas for using its schools and shelters for weapons storage and condemned Israel for not doing enough to avoid civilian deaths in choosing its targets. The UN has also accused both sides of possible war crimes. Maybe the Israelis and Palestinians have had enough for the time being and are more willing than usual to do what it takes to give it a rest for an extended period? Maybe. Hopefully.
Personally, I think a reset of border policy might go a long away in negotiating an extension to the truce and be a jumping board for longer term peace, though that would likely require a third party performing border patrol. Giving the Palestinians some more freedom is what I think and hope is at least an option that is put on the table this week.
Hoping for the cease-fire to hold and some good-faith negotiations to take foot before the 72 hours expires.