Hamas denies Israeli media reports of six-months ceasefire agreement

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Israel will begin a negotiation process with Hamas to deal with electric power, health, funds, and border crossings.

Hagay Hacohen

May 20, 2019 21:24

 

 

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh gestures during a rally marking the 31st anniversary of Hamas' founding,

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh gestures during a rally marking the 31st anniversary of Hamas’ founding, in Gaza City December 16, 2018. (photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS)

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Israel and Hamas agreed to a 6-month ceasefire understanding effective immediately, Channel 12 news reported on Monday evening.

Hamas spokesperson Fauzi Barhom responded to the news by denying what Israeli media reported, saying that ” the ceasefire between the resistance [Hamas] and the occupation [Israel] is in exchange for Israeli commitment to implement all the agreements reached.”

Channel 12 said that Hamas agreed to end clashes with IDF forces near the Gaza Security fence and to keep a 300 meter distance from it.

The terrorist organization also purportedly agreed to end night raids meant to engage IDF units stationed along the border and end Hamas boats traveling near the Gaza shore.

Israel in turn agreed to widen the Gazan fishing zone Gaza to 15 nautical miles and ensure the transfer of medicines and other forms of civic aid to Gaza residents, the report said.

Israel will begin a negotiation process with Hamas to deal with electric power, health, funds, and border crossings.

In addition, Israel will promote UN programs that aim to employ Palestinians who reside in the Gaza Strip.

Shortly after the report, reactions from all sides started to pile in.

The Arranging Committee of the Gaza strip March of Return protests responded to the announced  by saying that  “we will continue with the Friday marches until the siege is removed and the rights of our people restored.”

Representatives of the Eshkol Regional Council in turn said that from their perspective, a ceasefire includes a complete cessation of incendiary balloons, terror attacks on the security fence, and the sporadic fire they are subjected to.

MK Amir Peretz from the Labor party said that a deal with Hamas that does not include the return of the remains of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, so they can be buried in Israel, and living Israelis held captive by the terror group is an ongoing assault on “IDF values and the alliance [the state has] with families.”
The parents of Goldin, Lea and Simcha, said that the “deal with Hamas is misleading the families which are waiting for almost five years for their sons to be returned from the battlefield.”

 

Palestinian reporter Iiad El-Kara suggested that the cease fire is “fake news,” claiming “this is part of the conniving means used by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman.”
Former Yesh Atid MK Haim Yalin said “I don’t believe a single word of Hamas” noting that, at this time, Israel had 12 cease fire understandings with Hamas and, he said, Hamas broke all of them.
The far-right Otzma Yehudit issued a press release in which they said this is a “humiliating treaty of surrender” and that “Hamas is dictating to the state of Israel what is on the agenda and brings the Israeli government to its knees time and time again.”

MK Yoaz Hendel from the Blue and White party responded to the news, saying that in the Middle East, “agreements with terrorists are not worth the paper on which they are signed.”

 

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