Israel, Hamas in Indirect Contact On Ceasefire

Israel and Hamas are negotiating through European mediators, seeking to make permanent the ceasefire put in place at the end of the Gaza fighting last summer, Hamas official Ahmed Yousef told the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency.

Described as indirect “chats,” the issues under discussion include the the possible opening of a seaport, along with the Hamas demand for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

“European diplomats and civil society activists come to the Gaza Strip constantly and pose Israeli viewpoints and convey the reaction of the movement through unofficial chats,” Yousef said.

However, an Israeli official dismissed the report. “There are no negotiations with Hamas,” he said, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The Hamas official also said that the bodies of Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge were also being negotiated.

“Hamas has a lot of important cards to play, and surprises on the topic of the missing soldiers,” he claimed, adding that a “Hamas surprise” would be revealed after the formation of the new Israeli government.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the April 28th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.