26 aug 2014
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.
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.
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Immediately after the Gaza ceasefire went into effect Tuesday evening, Hamas urged Gazans to take to the streets and "celebrate victory and the fulfillment of the Palestinian people's demands."
In a news conference at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that "Israeli settlers who live around Gaza can go back to their homes after the ceasefire agreement went into effect." He announced victory and congratulated the Palestinian people and the Arab nation for the victory which he said the Palestinian resistance achieved. "The Hamas movement won't abandon the Palestinian people after the battle came to an end." |
Gunmen fired gunshots into the air celebrating victory, and Palestinians took to the streets across the West Bank.
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.
For his part, deputy chief of Hamas' politburo Mousa Abu Marzouq wrote on his Twitter account that "talks have ended. We have reached understandings crowning our people's steadfastness and our resistance's triumph. We are awaiting a statement setting the zero point and end to the aggression."
A well-placed Palestinian source confirmed that Gaza border crossings would be open in tandem with an extended ceasefire.
The source explained that Egypt would issue a statement calling for a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire together with opening Gaza's crossings for the entry of construction material.
The Gaza fishing zone will also be increased.
In addition, the source said, Israel has pledged to stop targeted assassinations against Palestinian resistance activists and faction leaders.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that a round of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians would start in Cairo a month later to discuss unresolved issues.
Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have accepted the newly reached ceasefire agreement which Israel also accepted, the source highlighted.
Spokesman of the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees Abu Mujahid also told Ma'an that a permanent ceasefire agreement would go into effect this evening.
He said the agreement would be based on the 2012 truce and would include opening Gaza crossing points permanently.
He said opening crossings would mean an end to the Gaza siege, reconstruction of the enclave, removing the "no-go zone" and enlarging the Gaza fishing zone.
Israel's Channel 10 TV quoted Israeli officials as saying they agreed to a ceasefire and that Prime Minister Netanyahu had notified all security cabinet members about the agreement.
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.
For his part, deputy chief of Hamas' politburo Mousa Abu Marzouq wrote on his Twitter account that "talks have ended. We have reached understandings crowning our people's steadfastness and our resistance's triumph. We are awaiting a statement setting the zero point and end to the aggression."
A well-placed Palestinian source confirmed that Gaza border crossings would be open in tandem with an extended ceasefire.
The source explained that Egypt would issue a statement calling for a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire together with opening Gaza's crossings for the entry of construction material.
The Gaza fishing zone will also be increased.
In addition, the source said, Israel has pledged to stop targeted assassinations against Palestinian resistance activists and faction leaders.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that a round of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians would start in Cairo a month later to discuss unresolved issues.
Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have accepted the newly reached ceasefire agreement which Israel also accepted, the source highlighted.
Spokesman of the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees Abu Mujahid also told Ma'an that a permanent ceasefire agreement would go into effect this evening.
He said the agreement would be based on the 2012 truce and would include opening Gaza crossing points permanently.
He said opening crossings would mean an end to the Gaza siege, reconstruction of the enclave, removing the "no-go zone" and enlarging the Gaza fishing zone.
Israel's Channel 10 TV quoted Israeli officials as saying they agreed to a ceasefire and that Prime Minister Netanyahu had notified all security cabinet members about the agreement.
An Israeli died and two others were injured after a mortar shell fired from Gaza landed in the Eshkol area of southern Israel, reports said.
Israel's Ynet news site said two people were in severe condition, while three others suffered light injuries.
Israel's Ynet news site said two people were in severe condition, while three others suffered light injuries.
An Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinians in the al-Jneinah neighborhood in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip Tuesday, shortly before a ceasefire agreement was due to go into effect.
Witnesses told Ma'an that several people were injured in the raid and were taken to Abu Yousif al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. Medical sources named the victims as Yousif Ghannam, Muhammad al-Ribati and Ahmad Jarbu, all in their 20s.
The airstrike brought the death toll on Tuesday, the 51st day of the assault, to 10 and the total death toll to 2,141.
Earlier, an Israeli airstrike on Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip killed 22-year-old Muhammad Zaanin and injured several others.
A Ma'an reporter quoted witnesses as saying that an Israeli reconnaissance drone fired a missile at a group of people in Beit Hanoun killing Zaanin instantly.
Six Palestinians were killed earlier in Israeli airstrikes, witnesses said.
In the latest airstrikes, two employees from a local electricity company were killed when Israel targeted their car.
The victims were identified as Tamer Hamad and Muhammad Thaher.
Another two unidentified Palestinians were killed when an airstrike targeted a group of people in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City.
A fire broke out in the area following the attack.
Earlier, Muhammad Muin Abu Ajwa and Hasan Omar al-Sawwaf were killed in airstrikes targeting central Gaza City.
Israel also targeted a 16-storey mixed-use complex known as "Little Italy", causing its complete collapse, witnesses said.
Warplanes also fired on the 14-storey al-Basha building in the western Rimal neighborhood, causing massive damage and wounding another 15 people, witnesses and medics said.
Part of the building was used by Sawt Al-Shaab radio, or "Voice of the People", run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Witnesses told Ma'an that several people were injured in the raid and were taken to Abu Yousif al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. Medical sources named the victims as Yousif Ghannam, Muhammad al-Ribati and Ahmad Jarbu, all in their 20s.
The airstrike brought the death toll on Tuesday, the 51st day of the assault, to 10 and the total death toll to 2,141.
Earlier, an Israeli airstrike on Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip killed 22-year-old Muhammad Zaanin and injured several others.
A Ma'an reporter quoted witnesses as saying that an Israeli reconnaissance drone fired a missile at a group of people in Beit Hanoun killing Zaanin instantly.
Six Palestinians were killed earlier in Israeli airstrikes, witnesses said.
In the latest airstrikes, two employees from a local electricity company were killed when Israel targeted their car.
The victims were identified as Tamer Hamad and Muhammad Thaher.
Another two unidentified Palestinians were killed when an airstrike targeted a group of people in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City.
A fire broke out in the area following the attack.
Earlier, Muhammad Muin Abu Ajwa and Hasan Omar al-Sawwaf were killed in airstrikes targeting central Gaza City.
Israel also targeted a 16-storey mixed-use complex known as "Little Italy", causing its complete collapse, witnesses said.
Warplanes also fired on the 14-storey al-Basha building in the western Rimal neighborhood, causing massive damage and wounding another 15 people, witnesses and medics said.
Part of the building was used by Sawt Al-Shaab radio, or "Voice of the People", run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
An Israeli airstrike on Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip killed 22-year-old Muhammad Zaanin and injured several others, bringing Tuesday's death toll to seven.
A Ma'an reporter quoted witnesses as saying that an Israeli reconnaissance drone fired a missile at a group of people in Beit Hanoun killing Zaanin instantly.
Six Palestinians were killed earlier in Israeli airstrikes, witnesses said.
In the latest airstrikes, two employees from a local electricity company were killed when Israel targeted their car.
The victims were identified as Tamer Hamad and Muhammad Thaher.
Another two unidentified Palestinians were killed when an airstrike targeted a group of people in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City.
A fire broke out in the area following the attack.
Earlier, Muhammad Muin Abu Ajwa and Hasan Omar al-Sawwaf were killed in airstrikes targeting central Gaza City.
Israel also targeted a 16-storey mixed-use complex known as "Little Italy", causing its complete collapse, witnesses said.
Warplanes also fired on the 14-storey al-Basha building in the western Rimal neighborhood, causing massive damage and wounding another 15 people, witnesses and medics said.
Part of the building was used by Sawt Al-Shaab radio, or "Voice of the People", run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
A Ma'an reporter quoted witnesses as saying that an Israeli reconnaissance drone fired a missile at a group of people in Beit Hanoun killing Zaanin instantly.
Six Palestinians were killed earlier in Israeli airstrikes, witnesses said.
In the latest airstrikes, two employees from a local electricity company were killed when Israel targeted their car.
The victims were identified as Tamer Hamad and Muhammad Thaher.
Another two unidentified Palestinians were killed when an airstrike targeted a group of people in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City.
A fire broke out in the area following the attack.
Earlier, Muhammad Muin Abu Ajwa and Hasan Omar al-Sawwaf were killed in airstrikes targeting central Gaza City.
Israel also targeted a 16-storey mixed-use complex known as "Little Italy", causing its complete collapse, witnesses said.
Warplanes also fired on the 14-storey al-Basha building in the western Rimal neighborhood, causing massive damage and wounding another 15 people, witnesses and medics said.
Part of the building was used by Sawt Al-Shaab radio, or "Voice of the People", run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Israeli airstrikes destroyed two residential housing towers in Gaza City on Tuesday as two Palestinians were killed in overnight airstrikes.
Muhammad Muin Abu Ajwa and Hasan Omar al-Sawwaf were killed in airstrikes targeting central Gaza City.
Another strike on the Nasser neighborhood hit a 16-storey mixed-use complex known as "Little Italy", causing its complete collapse, witnesses said.
Witnesses said that F16s fired at least six rockets at the tower block, in which there were 60 apartments and a commercial complex including dozens of shops, completely destroying it.
They said residents had fled the building after the Israeli army sent them pre-recorded warning messages.
"The army told them to leave immediately and they all ran out into the street to find shelter," one told AFP.
Shortly afterwards, warplanes fired on the 14-storey al-Basha building in the western Rimal neighborhood, causing massive damage and wounding another 15 people, witnesses and medics said.
Part of the building was used by Sawt Al-Shaab radio, or "Voice of the People", run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The Israeli army confirmed carrying out 15 air strikes since midnight, among them buildings serving as Hamas "command and control centers."
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike leveled a 12-story apartment building in the heart of Gaza City, wounding at least 18 people, 10 of them children, and leaving dozens of Palestinian families homeless.
Muhammad Muin Abu Ajwa and Hasan Omar al-Sawwaf were killed in airstrikes targeting central Gaza City.
Another strike on the Nasser neighborhood hit a 16-storey mixed-use complex known as "Little Italy", causing its complete collapse, witnesses said.
Witnesses said that F16s fired at least six rockets at the tower block, in which there were 60 apartments and a commercial complex including dozens of shops, completely destroying it.
They said residents had fled the building after the Israeli army sent them pre-recorded warning messages.
"The army told them to leave immediately and they all ran out into the street to find shelter," one told AFP.
Shortly afterwards, warplanes fired on the 14-storey al-Basha building in the western Rimal neighborhood, causing massive damage and wounding another 15 people, witnesses and medics said.
Part of the building was used by Sawt Al-Shaab radio, or "Voice of the People", run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The Israeli army confirmed carrying out 15 air strikes since midnight, among them buildings serving as Hamas "command and control centers."
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike leveled a 12-story apartment building in the heart of Gaza City, wounding at least 18 people, 10 of them children, and leaving dozens of Palestinian families homeless.
Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip have reported on Monday, after midnight, that two Palestinians have been killed, and at least eight injured, including a medic, after the army repeatedly bombarded Gaza City.
The sources said the soldiers fired missiles into Yarmouk Street, in the center of Gaza City, killing two young Palestinian men, identified as Mohammad Mo’in Abu ‘Ajwa, and Hasan Omar as-Awwad.
Three Palestinians were injured and in the attack, and were moved to Shifa Medical Center.
The army also targeted the Italian Residential Compound in Gaza, at least five times, causing excessive property damage, while at least five Palestinians, including a medic, have been injured.
Several injuries have also been reported, as the army fired missiles into a farm in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Soldiers also fired missiles into an agricultural land, in Deir al-Balah, in Central Gaza.
In a report following the latest Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said, “By the 51st day of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, the number of slain Palestinians arrived to 2133, while 11100 Palestinians have been injured.”
The sources said the soldiers fired missiles into Yarmouk Street, in the center of Gaza City, killing two young Palestinian men, identified as Mohammad Mo’in Abu ‘Ajwa, and Hasan Omar as-Awwad.
Three Palestinians were injured and in the attack, and were moved to Shifa Medical Center.
The army also targeted the Italian Residential Compound in Gaza, at least five times, causing excessive property damage, while at least five Palestinians, including a medic, have been injured.
Several injuries have also been reported, as the army fired missiles into a farm in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Soldiers also fired missiles into an agricultural land, in Deir al-Balah, in Central Gaza.
In a report following the latest Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said, “By the 51st day of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, the number of slain Palestinians arrived to 2133, while 11100 Palestinians have been injured.”
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