Abbas announces Israel-Gaza ceasefire | Maan News Agency
▻http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=723559
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday announced a long-term ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.
In a short televised address, Abbas said the agreement would go into effect at 7 p.m.
“We confirm complete appreciation to the Egyptian efforts which started long ago seeking to satisfy all sides. Qatar also played a role in that. We also would like to mention that (US Secretary of State John) Kerry was also in touch with us for the same purpose and so we thank all those who played roles,” Abbas said.
“We discussed several necessary things with Hamas leaders in Qatar in order to enable the national consensus government to do its job,” he continued."
"During these 50 days or more, we exerted every effort to provide our people with the supplies they needed. Some supplies were from us and others from our friends. But still this isn’t enough. ... People in Gaza need a lot more. Quick support is needed to try and heal the wound which was inflicted on Gaza.
“The question is now ’What’s next?’ Gaza suffered three wars and are we expecting another one? We will consult friends and the international community, and we can’t continue with ’cloudy negotiations,’” he said.(...)
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Senior Hamas offial: Israel agreed to open Gaza crossings
Published today (updated) 26/08/2014 20:55
▻http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=723584
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – Israel has agreed to open Gaza crossings to allow the flow of humanitarian aid and construction material, senior Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouq said Tuesday.
Speaking to Ma’an, Abu Marzouq added that three more Gaza crossings will be operated in addition the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings, which are already operating.
Asked about the fishing zone, he said that Gaza fishermen would be allowed to reach as far as 6 nautical miles and the zone would be increased gradually until it is 12 nautical miles by the end of 2014.
Reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip will be discussed during a conference in Egypt next month, added Abu Marzouq. The Palestinian national consensus government will be in charge of implementation.
The Hamas official added that the ceasefire agreement was sponsored and would be monitored by Egypt only.
Another round of negotiations will start a month from now to discuss unresolved issues, Abu Marzouq said.
Furthermore, Israeli, European and American restrictions and opposition to money transfers to Gaza for salaries for employees of the former Hamas-led government in Gaza have been cancelled. The national consensus government is supposedly working on proceedings to arrange payment of salaries.
Abu Marzouq pointed out that Israel agreed to stop targeted assassinations of resistance activists and said that a ceasefire agreement could have been reached earlier if Israel agreed to this demand sooner.
As for the Rafah crossing, Abu Marzouq said Egyptian and Palestinian officials would meet soon to discuss what is needed to open the crossing permanently.
The Gaza buffer zone has also been removed, he added.