Israeli authorities have been quiet so far on international attempts to advance a cease-fire with Hamas. Reports this morning claimed that an Egyptian delegation, which arrived yesterday to Tel Aviv to negotiate a cease-fire, returned to Cairo empty-handed. The report said Israel refused an offer for a temporary cease-fire, as a first step for calming down tensions with Hamas. Other reports said Israel was not interested in a mutual commitment for a cease-fire, and is demanding that Hamas first stops unilaterally all hostilities. A France24 report said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry had called late on May 12 Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, but failed to convince him to accept a cease-fire compromise. The report also mentioned efforts by the United Nations and Qatar to advance a temporary truce.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said May 12 that according to senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk, the group would accept a cease-fire on condition that Israel halts strikes and on condition of the international community pressuring Israel to end “military actions” at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Reports said Israel rejected that offer.
As mentioned, none of these details were confirmed by official Israeli sources. Still, other international actors are also stepping up pressure on Israel to advance a cease-fire with Hamas.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted this morning a message in Hebrew, Arabic and English, calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas: “The spiral of violence in the Middle East must stop. I strongly call for a cease-fire and for dialogue. I call for calm and peace.” Speaking May 13 with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron condemned the rocket attacks on Israel. According to the Elysee Palace, Macron “strongly condemned the rocket attacks claimed by Hamas and other terrorist groups,” which “seriously endanger the population of Tel Aviv and affect the security of the State of Israel.” The Elysee also said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “unavailable” for a phone call with the French president.
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