The latest complication in the ongoing ceasefire talks in Egypt are intra-Palestinian disagreements.
One of the Egyptian security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said the Palestinian delegation’s stance had hardened after the arrival in Cairo of Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders from the Gaza Strip.
He said Azzam al-Ahmad, the leader of the delegation and the representative of the Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, had threatened to withdraw from the talks if the two militant groups do not show more “flexibility,” adding that the delegation, which was supposed to leave Cairo on Thursday, would stay through the weekend.
The AP also reported that at a rally in Gaza, a Hamas official, Mushir al-Masri, promised that “the militant group would never give up its arms and will continue to fight until the Gaza Strip blockade is lifted.”
Though the AP doesn’t explain the source of the friction between the Palestinian factions, one possible idea being considered is putting Fatah in charge of the Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt. Egypt will not accept Hamas control of the crossing.
Sources says 'sharp differences' have erupted between Fatah and Hamas negotiators at Cairo cease-fire talks.
— Khaled Abu Toameh (@KhaledAbuToameh) August 7, 2014
The hardening of Hamas’ position comes in the context of its threats to resume fire against Israel when the ceasefire expires at 8 tomorrow morning.
[Photo: euronews (in English) / YouTube ]