During a meeting at the Egyptian embassy in Gaza, the rival Fateh and Hamas movements came to a ceasefire agreement that calls for direct withdrawal of all gunmen from Gaza streets, and an end to incitement.
During a meeting at the Egyptian embassy in Gaza, the rival Fateh and Hamas movements came to a ceasefire agreement that calls for direct withdrawal of all gunmen from Gaza streets, and an end to incitement.
The agreement was reached under the supervision of the Egyptian security delegates who conducted mediation talks between the two movements.
Leaders of the two movements held a meeting at the embassy and agreed on a seven-point ceasefire deal:
1. Immediate ceasefire, withdrawl all gunmen from the streets or the buildings they took over and the removal of roadblocks that were installed after the recent violent clashes.
2.The Palestinian police will be deployed in the streets to maintain law and order in all areas, especially in Gaza City that witnessed the most violent clashes.
3.The release of all abducted members of the two movements, and the release by Palestinian security forces of all arrested members of the two sides.
4.The holding of an immediate meeting for the Joint Operations Committee to follow-up on the implementation of the agreement, in cooperation with the Joint Office.
5.The two movements confirmed that any attack against the security forces, police, institutions or the residents is a condemned act, and anyone who carries out such attacks will be prosecuted.
6.The two movements vow to support the measures carried out by the Ministry of Interior to gain internal security.
7.The issuing of a call for the media agencies, especially the local media groups, to immediately stop any form of incitement.
Hamas and Fatah Agree to a New Ceasefire Deal
Rami Almeghari – IMEMC, 21:46
IMEMC learned Saturday evening that a 7-item ceasefire declaration was reached between Hamas and Fatah during a meeting today between representatives of both factions at the Egyptian embassy in Gaza under an official Egyptian mediation.
Speaking to IMEMC correspondent in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, spokesman of Hamas confirmed the deal was concluded, voicing hope it would sustain.“We reiterate our full commitment to any ceasefire declaration, which comes consistent with Hamas’s platform to maintain a national agreement. From our part, we are committed to the ceasefire, yet we are hoping that the other party (Fatah) would comply with such an announcement”.
Asked whether his movement would guarantee successful ceasefire, Barhoum said “we call on President Abbas to allow greater authority to the interior ministry so that the latter can keep order”.
The Saturday ceasefire is the second in less than 24 hours as both factions agreed Friday on ceasing all forms of infighting and restore calm to Gaza streets, yet things came out of control after convoy of Fatah’s representatives came under fire right after Friday meeting.
Gaza saw Saturday more escalation on the ground as sounds of bombs and bullets have been heard in different parts of the city, while at least six Palestinians have been wounded and some public utilities have been damaged.
Today’s declaration included total ceasefire, deployment of police forces in hot spots of Gaza, mutual immediate release of each party’s abducted members, urgent meeting of a joint follow up delegations, commitment by both factions to abide by the interior ministry’s measures and calling on local media outlets to stop incitement.
At least25 Palestinians have been killed and about 250 others wounded since last Thursday, when clashes broke out between Hamas’s executive force, under the command of the interior ministry, and the Presidential 17 Force in central Gaza Strip.
Hamas accused the 17 Force of bringing weapons through the Egyptian borders, a thing the both Egypt and the Palestinian presidency denied totally.Noteworthy, Hamas and Fatah agreed last Tuesday to a ceasefire following Egyptian mediation between the two sides.
