Easing of border crossings linked to end of smuggling

[toomuchtime_]

Washington understands well that Israel’s restrictions on the Gaza Strip are related to arms smuggling, and that a total relaxation of the restrictions would necessitate assurances that arms stop pouring into the enclave, a senior US official said Monday.

The official’s comments came as Egyptian mediators began separate talks Monday with Hamas and Israel to flesh out details of last Wednesday’s cease-fire.

The US official said that as a “goodwill gesture” Israel agreed to extend Palestinian fishing rights from three to six miles off the Gaza coast.

An Egyptian official told Reuters the talks would discuss Palestinian demands for the opening of more Israeli crossings into Gaza. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told reporters on Saturday that the group wanted to see the opening of all four goods crossings with Israel that used to operate before 2006.

The senior US official said that Washington realized that stopping the smuggling is a “critical element” of the cease-fire, and that the US will make this a priority in its discussions with the Egyptians and other international players.

The specific mechanisms of how to fight the smuggling were still to be worked out, he said.

Talks in Egypt start to flesh out... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

So is this what Obama promised Netanyahu to get him to agree to the ceasefire?

But Hamas has said it will not stop smuggling arms in, so how long will this ceasefire last?

Ten...nine...eight...seven....

 

[AnjelicaT]

It is probably just a re-stocking of weapons hudna for hamas.

 

[georgephillip]

Washington understands well that Israel’s restrictions on the Gaza Strip are related to arms smuggling, and that a total relaxation of the restrictions would necessitate assurances that arms stop pouring into the enclave, a senior US official said Monday.

The official’s comments came as Egyptian mediators began separate talks Monday with Hamas and Israel to flesh out details of last Wednesday’s cease-fire.

The US official said that as a “goodwill gesture” Israel agreed to extend Palestinian fishing rights from three to six miles off the Gaza coast.

An Egyptian official told Reuters the talks would discuss Palestinian demands for the opening of more Israeli crossings into Gaza. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told reporters on Saturday that the group wanted to see the opening of all four goods crossings with Israel that used to operate before 2006.

The senior US official said that Washington realized that stopping the smuggling is a “critical element” of the cease-fire, and that the US will make this a priority in its discussions with the Egyptians and other international players.

The specific mechanisms of how to fight the smuggling were still to be worked out, he said.

Talks in Egypt start to flesh out... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

So is this what Obama promised Netanyahu to get him to agree to the ceasefire?

But Hamas has said it will not stop smuggling arms in, so how long will this ceasefire last?

Ten...nine...eight...seven....

Since Israel depends on American material and diplomatic support for its "creeping" colonization of Gaza and the West Bank, the US could end Gaza's desperation and its inevitable resistance overnight by withdrawing the blank check it offers to Israel annually.

This latest act of aggression on Israel's part was likely a part of preparation for an attack on Iran by removing potential distractions in the form of missiles from Gaza raining down on Jewish cities while Israel rains far more lethal missiles on the Persians.

Yet more proof of the picture of Israel as a benign, peace-loving "democracy."

 

[P F Tinmore]

Washington understands well that Israel’s restrictions on the Gaza Strip are related to arms smuggling, and that a total relaxation of the restrictions would necessitate assurances that arms stop pouring into the enclave, a senior US official said Monday.

The official’s comments came as Egyptian mediators began separate talks Monday with Hamas and Israel to flesh out details of last Wednesday’s cease-fire.

The US official said that as a “goodwill gesture” Israel agreed to extend Palestinian fishing rights from three to six miles off the Gaza coast.

An Egyptian official told Reuters the talks would discuss Palestinian demands for the opening of more Israeli crossings into Gaza. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told reporters on Saturday that the group wanted to see the opening of all four goods crossings with Israel that used to operate before 2006.

The senior US official said that Washington realized that stopping the smuggling is a “critical element” of the cease-fire, and that the US will make this a priority in its discussions with the Egyptians and other international players.

The specific mechanisms of how to fight the smuggling were still to be worked out, he said.

Talks in Egypt start to flesh out... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

So is this what Obama promised Netanyahu to get him to agree to the ceasefire?

But Hamas has said it will not stop smuggling arms in, so how long will this ceasefire last?

Ten...nine...eight...seven....

But Hamas has said it will not stop smuggling arms in,...

Got a link to that?