EGYPT will not accept continued Israeli troop presence along its border with the Gaza Strip. Cairo, the main mediator in efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, reiterated to all parties that it will not accept an Israeli presence along the strategic Philadelphia Corridor.
A key sticking point in the ceasefire talks was a call for Israel to withdraw its forces from the border area, including the Rafah crossing, the only Palestinian territory not directly controlled by Israel.
Israeli forces seized the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side in early May, cutting off a vital aid route and drawing repeated condemnation from Egypt and other countries.
“Egypt is organizing mediation between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in accordance with its national security,” said Al-Qahera News which is linked to the Egyptian state or state intelligence agency.
The talks, also mediated by Qatar and the United States, have yielded little hope of a ceasefire, although Washington said on Friday some progress had been made.
Hamas said Sunday that the group’s delegation had met with Egyptian and Qatari mediators before leaving Cairo, where Israeli talks are also expected. (Arabnews/Z-2)
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