Will Hamas, Israel reach a truce agreement?
Palestinians fear that the recent influx of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip could force Hamas to pay exorbitant political costs that could harm the Palestinian cause and pave the way for approval of the US “deal of the century” that they categorically reject.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Egyptian authorities’ decision to open the Rafah crossing throughout the holy month of Ramadan sparked fear and joy at the same time among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The opening of the crossing coincided with extensive internationally mediated indirect contact between Israel and Hamas on a deal whereby Israel would improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a long-term truce between the two sides.
On May 18, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued instructions to open the Rafah border crossing throughout the holy month of Ramadan, allowing the entry of individuals, trucks and humanitarian aid.
By the next day, Egyptian authorities had dispatched two convoys of medicine and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip. In turn, the Qatar National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza announced May 21 that it distributed 35,000 food packages, including basic foodstuffs, at a cost of about $1.5 million, in addition to the supply of medical equipment and shipments of medicines.
