Cabinet minister: No arrangement with Hamas
The Security Cabinet discusses the ceasefire currently observed between Hamas and Israel as well as a possible long-term arrangement with the terror group during a meeting attended by only a few ministers; Although the defense establishment believes Hamas is committed to cessation of hostilities, many Israeli officials remain skeptical; 'There is no arrangement. The other side is so unpredictable; no one knows what will happen.'
The ministers were briefed on the discussions held with Hamas, mediated by the Egyptians and UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov. One of the proposal’s main point is cessation of all violent Hamas-led activity from Gaza, while the Israeli side will be required to permanently open the Kerem Shalom crossing, expand the Palestinian fishing zone off the blockaded enclave's coast and increase the supplies of fuel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and the deputy head of the Shin Bet gave an overview of the ongoing negotiations.
The defense establishment believes that the ceasefire will last and Hamas is committed to avoid an escalation of hostilities.
The security sources believe that what convinced Hamas to commit to the ceasefire is a destruction a multi-story building at the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City by the IDF in the latest escalation round along the southern border.
According to sources, Hamas viewed the bombing of the building as a declaration of intent by Israel, and was very concerned that similar attacks would follow.
Mahmoud Abbas, according to the sources, is indifferent to the proposal. Although he allows the negotiations to proceed, he did not attend any talks on the issue and did not promote the possible arrangement in any way.
Despite the fact that Hamas has reportedly committed itself to stop incendiary terror, many members of the Cabinet remain skeptical.
"There is no arrangement. We are hoping that the understandings we’ve reached so far will eventually lead us to a wide scale agreement, but the return of the remains of the soldiers and Israeli citizens held by Hamas—is an essential precondition. The other side is so unpredictable that no one really knows what will happen,” concluded the source.
The official Israeli response, provided by "a political source,” reiterated similar sentiments.
"There will be no genuine deal with Hamas without the return of our sons and citizens home and the promise of long lasting calm in the region. The current quiet along the southern border, which was achieved with the help of the Egyptians and the UN, is the result of aggressive IDF action that will continue as long as necessary.
“In light of this, the Kerem Shalom border crossing was reopened and the fishing area was expanded, and as long as this commitment is maintained, the government will be able to start tackling humanitarian issues, including the return of our sons and citizens," the source explained.
Half of the Cabinet ministers did not take part in Wednesday’s discussion since many of them are either on vacation, or have chosen not to attend.
The participants included the prime minister, minister of defense, Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan, Minister of Transportation and Intelligence Yisrael Katz and Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri.
The Cabinet ministers went on to attack Minister of Education Naftali Bennett—who did not attend Wednesday’s meeting, and who over the past few days has issued numerous public statements against the ceasefire agreement.
One of the ministers scolded Bennett suggesting it’s ludicrous that a minister who issues statements against the ceasefire does not actually attend the Cabinet sessions that discuss it.
