Israeli commits to Gaza reconstruction in Hamas ceasefire deal

JTA
Published August 16, 2018

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel has committed to the reconstruction of Gaza and to discussing the possibility of airports and seaports in the Hamas-controlled coastal territory, Haaretz reported on Thursday.

Details have begun to emerge regarding these and other terms of the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. It’s implementation began Wednesday, closing out months of escalating tensions between the two sides.

According to senior Israeli officials who spoke to Haaretz, the deal includes six main clauses including “a comprehensive cease-fire; the reopening of Gaza’s border crossings and expansion of the permitted fishing zone; medical and humanitarian assistance; a resolution to the issue of captive soldiers, missing civilians and prisoners; a broad reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, with foreign funding; and discussions about sea and air ports in Gaza.”

The deal was approved by the cabinet with only Ministers Ayelet Shaked and Naftali Bennett of the hardline Jewish Home party dissenting publicly.

Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing on Wednesday. According to Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), 17,854 tons of goods in 637 trucks have since entered the strip.

An Israeli source who spoke with Haaretz said that “there will be no real arrangement with Hamas without the return of our sons and civilians and a the promise of prolonged calm.”

“The current calm is the result of tough IDF operations, which will continue as needed,” the source said. “The calm was achieved following the understandings promoted by Egypt and the UN. In light of this, operation of the Kerem Shalom crossing was restarted and the fishing zone was expanded. As long as this commitment is maintained, humanitarian issues, including the return of our sons and civilians, can be addressed.”

Citing Lebanese television, the Times of Israel reported that Israel will maintain security control over cargo traffic between Gaza and Cyprus and that Qatar will begin paying for Gaza’s electricity. The Qataris, in conjunction with Egypt, will also begin provide funding for the salaries of Gazan civil servants.

Recent weeks have seen Hamas fire hundreds of rockets into Israeli territory and the Israelis carry out numerous retaliatory strikes against the terror group’s outposts and fighters.