Hamas rally in Gaza (Archives)
Photo: AFP
Hamas figure: Ceasefire draft brokered
Islamist group's delegation to Cairo says truce brokered by Egypt to include opening of Gaza goods crossings, lifting 80% of Israeli blockade on Gaza; Israel rejects international supervision over crossings
Israel and Hamas have drafted a ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt, senior Hamas figure Salah Bardawil was quoted by Cairo's al-Ahram weekly newspaper as saying Thursday.
According to Bardawil, who serves as the spokesman for Hamas' delegation to Cairo, the ceasefire will stand for 18 months and will include opening the Gaza goods crossings and lifting some 80% of the blockade placed on the Strip.
According to him, Israel and Hamas are still in disagreement over the types and amount of goods that will be allowed to enter the Palestinian enclave. Israel fears some goods will be used to manufacture rockets.
The other obstacle to finalizing the agreement is Israel's refusal to leave the monitoring of the Israel-Gaza border crossings at the hands of international supervisors.
As for the talks on reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, Bardawil said the Islamist group has demanded that Egypt set up a judicial committee that would order the release of Hamas detainees in the West Bank and create a positive atmosphere for ending the internal Palestinian strife.
