Palestinian newspaper Al Ayyam reported on Sunday that progress has been made in talks between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip in an effort to deescalate the increasing cross-border tensions.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the sides have reached a breakthrough in negotiations after Israel agreed to some of the Palestinian factions' demands, but the talks - mediated by Qatari envoy Muhammad al-Amadi - are still ongoing.
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Wildefire near Gaza border caused by balloon-borne explosives
(Photo: Eshkol Security)
The Palestinian factions, which said on Saturday they are prepared for a long military campaign against Israel, continue to insist on fully lifting Israel's blockade over the coastal enclave as a condition for calm.
According to the report, Israel confirmed its willingness to transfer fuel and $30 million in financial aid from Qatar as a condition for halting the launches of incendiary balloons into Israeli territory, which start dozens of fires on a daily basis. Israel will also expand Gaza's fishing zone and facilitate the transfer of medical equipment to combat coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh published a press release Saturday night thanking the Egyptian and Qatari mediators for their efforts in contacts with Israel.
"We're watching closely over the situation in the Strip and the work that the mediators do to lift the blockade," he said. "The leader of the [Hamas] movement in Gaza and the administration are holding talks and continuing their efforts with the aim of fulfilling the will of our people and lifting the siege, especially with the arrival of coronavirus in the Strip."
"The main problem is Israel's stubbornness and refusal to comply with the justified demands of our people. Our decision is to continue down our path until the siege has been lifted in all its forms."
In the meantime, Israeli tanks hit Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the army said, as Palestinian balloon attacks across the border continued despite international truce efforts.
An early-morning military statement said 25 fires had been started by explosive devices attached to clusters of balloons, launched from Gaza into southern Israel on Saturday.
"In response to the ongoing events, a short while ago... tanks struck military posts belonging to the Hamas terror organization in the southern Gaza Strip," the IDF statement said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.