Hamas and Israel Seek To Maintain Gaza Peace
Months after the Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, both sides seek to maintain peace in Gaza for political and other motives, writes Hazem Balousha.
After the Egyptian-sponsored truce was forged between Hamas and Israel, the situation in Gaza returned to the status quo that existed prior to operation Pillar of Defense, which was launched against Gaza in November 2012.
While the ceasefire prevented rocket fire on Israeli towns, there was no change regarding the blockade imposed on the Palestinian enclave.
Despite the implementation of the deal, Israeli aggression on the coastal strip has continued. According to the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, Israel has carried out strikes against different areas of the Gaza Strip — especially in the security buffer zone along the eastern border and along the Mediterranean Sea, which killed four people and injured 86. Moreover, 80 Palestinians were arrested, half of whom were fishermen, and Israeli soldiers infiltrated some of the border areas.
Furthermore, Israel has maintained its restrictions on the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip. Construction materials continued to be banned from entering the Palestinian enclave, except for limited quantities allocated for international projects, transferred through the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossing. Israel also restricted Palestinian fishermen to an area of three nautical miles from shore, despite the fact that the Oslo Accords provided access to up to 20 nautical miles from shore.
