Hamas pursues truce with Israel, but not all factions approve
Despite recent clashes between Hamas and Israel, the former seems to be taking steps toward a truce brokered by Egypt and the UN.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Flare-ups earlier this month between the Israeli army and Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip seemed likely to escalate into an expanded war were it not for the Egypt-brokered cease-fire in place. Instead, Hamas and Israel are close to reaching a genuine truce that could last for years, a high-ranking Hamas source told Al-Monitor.
A real truce, however, will require the PLO's blessing and the participation of various factions besides Hamas.
An Aug. 7-9 flare-up was ignited when the Israeli army killed two Hamas militants in the northern Gaza Strip. The next day, 16 Israeli settlers were wounded by shrapnel from rockets Hamas fired at settlements alongside the Gaza Strip. On Aug. 9, Israel retaliated with airstrikes that killed a girl and her mother who was nine months pregnant.
Yet a Hamas leadership delegation arrived Aug. 11 in Cairo to negotiate a truce with Israel.
