“Israel is officially clarifying that it is not holding any meetings with Hamas, neither directly, nor via other countries or intermediaries,” the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
Arab and Turkish media have in recent weeks carried reports, that were picked up by Israeli media, claiming Israel and the Palestinian movement that rules the Gaza Strip were holding talks.
According to the reports, the talks were aimed at reaching an eight-year of 10-year truce, with Israel removing its blockade on the coastal Palestinian territory.
A 50-day war between Israel and Hamas in July-August 2014 killed about 2,200 Palestinians and 73 on the Israeli side, and destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes in Gaza.
Israel says its nine-year blockade on the impoverished territory is essential to prevent militants from obtaining materials to fortify military positions and build rockets they could fire.
The reports on truce talks were fuelled by recent meetings between Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal with Turkish and Saudi officials.
- The statement from Netanyahu’s office also addressed reports that an agreement with Hamas would enable normalizing diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey.
Relationships between the former allies soured in 2010 when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turks after storming the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara en route to Gaza.
Israel apologized in 2013 and talks have been ongoing to determine compensation for the families, but there has been no agreement yet, with Turkey conditioning a deal the lifting of the Gaza blockade.
“As for the relations with Turkey -- the agreement is still far off,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Israel has recently accused Turkey of harboring a Hamas militant who orchestrated attacks against Israelis.
alarabiya.net by AFP
18/8/15
--
-
Related:
---
-
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Palestinian FM: Israel, Hamas ‘on the verge’ of truce deal...
ReplyDeleteIn an interview with FRANCE 24, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said that Israel and Hamas are holding secret talks on establishing a long-term truce.
"I don’t have sources to confirm" that Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, are holding secret talks, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki told FRANCE 24.
"But if you listen to the Turks, to Hamas leaders, to some Israeli and Qatari leaders and even to some European leaders, it gives you all the information you need to confirm that there have been negotiations," Malki said. "They are on the verge of reaching an agreement about a truce of eight to 10 years."
The agreement would see Israel lift its blockade of Gaza and "allow maritime passage" to nearby Cyprus, Malki said.
"We don't know if it will happen tomorrow or in a month from now," he said. "But all indications are telling us that yes, there is a serious level of negotiations, there are mediators who are doing their utmost to reach this agreement."
On Monday, Israel denied it was engaged in "any meetings with Hamas, neither directly, nor via other countries or intermediaries".
The Palestinian foreign minister also welcomed a new peace plan floated by his French counterpart Laurent Fabius. However, he expressed "scepticism about the way countries have reacted to it, especially Israel and the United States, who have really blocked the possibility of the plan being translated into certain actions”..........http://www.france24.com/en/20150818-video-riyad-al-malki-palestinian-fm-israel-hamas-secret-talks