Israel, Hamas in Indirect Talks on Ceasefire Deal

Negotiations May Settle Questions About Blockade

by Jason Ditz, November 26, 2012

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas called for “opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods” from the Gaza Strip, but nearly a week later Israeli officials insist absolutely nothing has changed with respect to the siege.

Egyptian officials, however, confirm that negotiations are ongoing between Israeli and Hamas officials, who are in indirect talks through Cairo on the implementation of the deal. Exactly what is being discussed, beyond Israeli demands for more restrictions along the Egypt-Gaza border, is unclear.

Presumably also up for discussion is Gaza fishermen, after Hamas told them over the weekend that they could now actually fish six miles out from the shore, like any other fishermen on the planet can, while Israeli officials insist that is not the case.

There are a lot of questions to answer, but with Israeli officials struggling to convince a peace-weary public of the merits of the war, any concessions from their side are going to be extremely difficult to achieve, especially just weeks before an election.

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