CAIRO: Warring Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have agreed to yet another ceasefire in the wake of an Israeli response to a Palestinian suicide bombing in Eilat and President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Egypt.
“There must be a political solution to keep the truce permanent. As it stands now, this will be yet another temporary ceasefire, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, an expert from Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies told The Daily Star Egypt.
A 20-year-old from Gaza struck the resort of Eilat Sunday, killing three people as well as himself. Israel carried out an air strike on a tunnel between the Gaza-Israel borders early Tuesday.
In light of the threat of the two month Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire coming to an end, a truce was ironed out between Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Rawhi Fattouh on behalf of President Abbas who was in Egypt.
In just three days of fighting, 34 people were killed in the clashes between Hamas and Fatah.
“The violence has reached an unprecedented level, and you cannot broker a permanent solution without both sides wanting it, Abdel-Salam said.
Fatah spokesman Maher Mekdad said: Despite all the bitterness and sadness that we are feeling, we will work to make it succeed.
Abbas met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday and the ceasefire was top of the agenda according to Abdel-Salam, who added that it is the “Hamas reaction that is yet unclear.
However, the Middle East News Agency quoted Egyptian presidential advisor Osama Al-Baz as saying that Hamas was willing to recognize Israel if talks are to be held.
According to Al-Baz, Hamas said: “How can we recognize Israel when it refuses to sit with us on the negotiating table and when they refuse to recognize us?
The advisor also said that Hamas officials whom he did not name indicated a willingness to recognize Israel if discussions on a Palestinian-Israeli solution are held.
Egypt wants the Palestinians to form a national unity government, comprising both Hamas and Fatah, which could then be able to negotiate with the Israeli side on a long-lasting peace settlement
“Egypt can talk to Hamas officials within Palestine, but does not deal so much with those outside Palestine, Abdel-Salam said.
Egypt often brokers the ceasefire agreements between the Palestinian factions, usually through head of Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman who has visited Palestine on numerous occasions to discuss truce details with both Hamas and Fatah.
