As US warships patrol near Venezuela, it exposes Latin American divisions    More than 70 killed in RSF drone attack on mosque in Sudan's besieged El Fasher    Egypt fast-tracks recycling plant to turn Suez Canal into 'green canal'    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Indirect Gaza talks underway in Cairo
Published in Daily News Egypt on 06 - 08 - 2014

Israeli and Palestinian delegations have begun indirect talks in Cairo as an Egyptian sponsored 72-hour ceasefire holds in the Gaza Strip for the second day.
An Egyptian foreign ministry official confirmed to Daily News Egypt that an Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo on Tuesday evening. The cross-faction Palestinian delegation has been in Cairo since Sunday meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and discussing their terms for a ceasefire.
Quartet envoy for the Middle East Tony Blair and the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry were also both expected to meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo on Wednesday.
Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said on Wednesday that no details of the indirect talks were available.
The foreign ministry did release a statement clarifying Egypt's position on the issues, stressing the need to "unify the Palestinian people". The ministry emphasised that Israel, as the occupying power, has "full responsibility for the Gaza Strip", adding that the air, land and sea blockade coupled with the closure of six crossings on the Israeli side is implemented "with the aim of trapping the sector and placing responsibility entirely on Egypt".
The ministry said Egypt "seeks to fulfil its historical obligations" to the Palestinian people but must find a balance between "maintaining Egyptian national security… and trying to ease the blockade imposed on the strip by facilitating the passage of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing as well as the coordination of humanitarian access".
Paul Hirschson, a spokesman at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday: "We want friendly peaceful relations with the Palestinian people and the Arab world." He too had no further information on the talks.
The basis for the talks in Cairo is the Egyptian initiative which was first put forward on 14 July. Hamas rejected the initiative at the time, claiming it was not formally approached to participate, while the Israeli side accepted the terms. Hamas has said that it would not accept any agreement that does not include the lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip that has been in place since 2007.
The Palestinian delegation met earlier this week and formulated a "unified Palestinian position on a ceasefire in Gaza", which was handed to Egyptian officials to be conveyed to the Israeli side.
The conditions put forward by the Palestinians include Hamas' main demands of the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and lifting the blockade on Gaza. Other conditions include the extension of Gaza's maritime fishing zone, the release of prisoners and reconstruction of the strip funded by an international donor conference under the supervision of the national unity government formed earlier this year.
The 72-hour ceasefire is set to expire on Friday morning however there is a possibility that the timeframe be extended, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.


Clic here to read the story from its source.