Israel and the Hamas movement said they were on the way towards the activation of the previous truce. The movement announced that UN delegations will visit the Gaza Strip in the coming days to follow up on the implementation of the terms of the deal between the Palestinian factions and Israel.
According to the movement’s spokesman, Abdul Latif al-Qanouh, the delegations will focus on extending electricity and water lines and the construction of a field hospital.
Hamas’ statements confirmed reports published by Asharq Al-Awsat about an Egyptian delegation’s discussions with the movement’s leaders and factions in Gaza. They concluded with an agreement for Israel begin to provide facilitations, including expanding the fishing zone, introducing medical equipment, granting additional permits to traders and workers, building a field hospital and lifting restrictions on the import of many goods, increasing exports, and developing water-related projects.
Egypt is eager for success of these efforts in order to move forward towards further steps that would include a prisoner swap deal and the construction of infrastructure projects, such as a safe passage to the West Bank and a seaport.
Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip are trying to ease border tensions, amid extensive efforts exerted by mediators in Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
This comes after the Israeli army killed activist Mahmoud Ahmed Sabri Adham, 28, of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, and after the launch of two rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.
Adham’s death threatened to ignite another round of widespread violence between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza.
