Hamas has informed Israel that it rejects an escalation in the fighting in the Gaza Strip, but urged it to refrain from tightening the noose on the enclave.
Hamas leaders told Egyptian mediators during a meeting they held in Gaza on Tuesday that the movement had no interest in a flare-up, yet they demanded that Israel abides by its obligations as part of understandings reached between the two sides a few months ago, Israeli sources said.
Hamas also told Egyptian intelligence officials that they want Israel to allow money into Gaza without extortion, expand the fishing area, solve electricity problems and allow more goods to flow into the Strip.
The movement’s officials reiterated that they would not accept Gaza’s people to suffer any further.
The Egyptian security delegation led by deputy chief of Egyptian intelligence Amr Hanafi met with head of Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya al-Senwar and his deputy Khalil al-Hayya.
The delegation has been involved in shuttle diplomacy to consolidate a truce deal.
Israel has demanded that all forms of violence, including incendiary balloons be stopped and that any transfer of funds be subject to the previously enforced monitoring mechanism.
In a gesture of goodwill, and in recognition of the efforts of the Egyptian delegation, Hamas canceled a demonstration scheduled for Tuesday in the Zikim area.
Egypt’s mediation comes amid intermittent Israeli attacks in Gaza in response to the continued launch of burning balloons.
Hamas resorted to launching incendiary balloons and kites after disagreements led to the suspension of the Qatari grant and brought previously reached understandings on a truce in the enclave to a standstill.
Israel’s air force has attacked several Hamas sites in northern Gaza Strip, the latest of which was at dawn Tuesday.
“Hamas is primarily responsible for everything that happens in the Strip and what comes out of it,” the Israeli military spokesman said in response to the launching of improvised explosive devices carried by balloons from the enclave.
Earlier, a round of sirens was triggered when an explosive device detonated near Shaar Hanegev regional council, without causing any damage. Israeli media reported that the device was attached to a cluster of 15 balloons.
Egypt wants Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement by March 30, when Palestinians commemorate Land Day.
Gaza demonstrations on the border with Israel known as the return marches began on March 30 last year.
The committee responsible for the demonstrations is preparing a million man march on the anniversary of the return marches.
