Despite threats, truce talks to continue
Photo: AFP
Palestinians fear IDF offensive
Photo: AP
Despite threats: Palestinian groups still want lull
Palestinian organizations vow to avenge killing of family in Gaza Monday, yet nonetheless prepare to attend Cairo talks in effort to secure truce with Israel; Hamas: We're not begging for lull
Despite the threats
issued throughout the day by all Palestinian groups in the wake of the IDF strike in Gaza that left a family dead, it appears Palestinian organizations are still interested in securing a lull agreement with Israel.
Delegations representing most Palestinian organizations are already in Egypt and are engaging in initial discussions with the Egyptians regarding the proposed lull. The groups realize that the Palestinian street is demanding a period of calm, particularly if it includes Israeli moves to ease the Gaza Strip siege.
The Palestinians have vowed to exact a heavy price from Israel in the wake of the Beit Hanoun strike that killed a mother and her four children, yet representatives of Palestinian groups continue to prepare for truce talks scheduled to get underway in Cairo Tuesday.
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As a result, despite the hesitations that followed the Beit Hanoun strike, all Palestinian groups eventually decided to take part in the Cairo talks.
'We reserve right to respond'
Popular Resistance Committees Spokesman Abu Mujahid told Ynet that his group engaged in a difficult debate on whether to attend the talks following what he characterized as the Beit Hanoun Massacore.
"However, we will be accepting the Egyptian invitation and will arrive in Egypt in order to first and foremost discuss improvements in the condition of the Palestinian population," he said. "However, we reserve the right to protect ourselves and to respond to the enemy's crimes at any given moment, as attested to by the (rocket) fire we engage in."
Palestinian street angry but wants truce (Photo: AFP)
Hamas Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told Ynet that his group will also take part in the Cairo talks, "not because we are begging for a lull, but rather, because we are accepting an initiative proposed by Egypt and by former United States President Jimmy Carter."
Preparing for Israeli offensive
However, Palestinian sources told Ynet that if the lull does not include significant components pertaining to easing the Gaza siege, any lull that is secured would ultimately collapse.Palestinian groups are concerned that Israel seeks to secure a period of calm for the coming month at least, where the Jewish State will be marking its 60th Independence Day. For that reason, representatives of all Palestinian organizations told Ynet that simultaneously to the truce talks, they are also preparing for an Israeli offensive at the end of the next month.
