Cease-fire negotiations in Cairo between Israel and Gaza terrorist factions were moved up to Tuesday this week in deference to the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana.
Israel has confirmed it will send a delegation to the Egyptian capital to resume talks over a permanent cease-fire with Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization and other allied terrorists.
The main demand that will be brought to the table by Israel at this point is the requirement that Gazans be disarmed – the one issue that is likely to torpedo the talks altogether, since Hamas and its allies are refusing to lay down their weapons.
Hamas, meanwhile, is demanding the construction of a seaport and airport, both of which would constitute immediate, free import of sophisticated weaponry from Iran and other major international military backers. In the past Israel has not agreed to this condition.
In addition, Hamas is demanding that Israel free hundreds of terrorist prisoners in exchange for the bodies of IDF soldiers 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin and 1st Sgt. Oron Shaul, o.b.m. Both fell in the line of duty this summer while fighting in Israel’s counter terror Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.
Ahead of the cease-fire talks, Egypt is also hosting negotiations between Hamas and its rival in the Palestinian Authority unity government, the Fatah faction led by PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.