Channels

Netanyahu summons senior ministers for 'prep' talks

Prime minister to speak with Lieberman, Lapid, Bennett, Livni, and Erdan on latest developments in Cairo negotiations for extended truce.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned senior ministers for private consultations Tuesday night to update them about the negotiations in Cairo and the latest developments regarding a truce agreement.

 

 

Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Tzipi Livni, and Gilad Erdan will speak to Netanyahu tonight in what one minister defined as "preparation" for the news expected from Cairo, where the Israeli and Palestinian delegations have been negotiating with the aid of Egyptian mediators.

 

Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich was not summoned, but was expected to vote in the Cabinet based on the position of Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman.

 

Earlier on Tuesday Bennett went on the offensive against the agreement developing in Cairo. Bennett slammed one potential concession by Israel – the transfer of salaries to Hamas officials in the Strip – as a "dangerous euphemism."

 

Bennett compared the concession with a protection racket. "Pay us – we'll shoot at you later, don't pay us – we'll shoot at you now."

 

Likud MK Danny Dannon also criticized the expected agreement. "We do not negotiate with terror organizations, the developing agreement will allow Hamas to rehabilitate its image on the Arab street and its military capabilities, which will be turned on us at a date determined by Hamas."

 

He emphasized that if "Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar receive immunity as part of the agreement, it will be a significant hit to our deterrence capability."

 

The Israeli delegation to Cairo includes Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, Amos Gilad, Yitzhak Molcho, Maj. Gen. Nimrod Sheffer, and Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai.

 

Israel has agreed to ease the closure on the Gaza Strip, according to information obtained by Ynet regarding an apparent agreement between Hamas and Israel, achieved via Egyptian mediation at the negotiations currently underway in Cairo. In contrast, there is no agreement to demilitarize Gaza, as demanded by Israel.

 

Ynet has learned that Israel will agree to transfer the Hamas government salaries through a third party – facilitating the payment of Hamas officials' salaries. It was further agreed that Israel would gradually expand the fishing area off the Gaza coast, initially expected to be six nautical miles. It was also decided that construction materials will enter Gaza under close supervision.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.12.14, 20:53
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment