New initiative for ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis in Gaza, proposed by Khaled Al-Amayra

Ma'an exclusive - new initiative for ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis in Gaza
Date: 13 / 02 / 2008 Time: 19:43

Hebron - Ma'an - Muhammad Al-'Awawi-

Ma'an has obtained a copy of an unprecedented document that includes an initiative for a ceasefire in Gaza between Palestinians and the Israelis with an agreement to lift the Israeli siege of Gaza in exchange for a halt to the firing of rockets towards Israel.

Journalist Khaled Al-Amayra, who prepared the initiative told Ma'an, "the initiative is still being studied by the concerned parties and the ball is now in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's court, after the leaders of Hamas, both in Gaza and in exile, agreed to the terms of the initiative."

Al-Amayra said that he initiated this agreement as an independent Islamic personality that does not belong to any party, after he attained the agreement of Rabbi Manahem Fruman, who assured him that many of the Rabbis and some ex-Israeli politicians, including former Defense Minister Amir Peretz, and many authors and journalists support this initiative. Al-Amayra also stressed that top Hamas leaders in exile and the de facto government in Gaza know about the initiative and accept it without any reservation.

"One of the main things that Israel must adhere to in the initiative is an immediate cancellation of all punishments imposed on Gaza and to stop all aggressive actions, especially assassinations, ambushes and airstrikes. The Palestinian authorities in Gaza, on the other hand, will have to make a pledge to stop all kinds of attacks against Israel and to enforce a ceasefire and take responsibility for any violation of this agreement," Al-Amayra added.

Al-Amayra also asserted that this initiative poses a "challenge" to the Israeli government because it uses Al-Qassam rockets as an excuse to attack the Gaza Strip. He is convinced though that Israel will agree to its terms.

Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh had previously expressed his readiness to study any suggestion or initiative that could put an end to the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Haniyeh had also pointed out in a press conference that the road to security and a just peace is known to all parties. "Let the occupier leave, let the aggression stop and let there be recognition of our people's right to their land. Then there will be no reason to continue with the status quo," Haniyeh said.

As for any connection between the initiative and the deal to exchange the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for a number of Palestinian prisoners, Al Amayra expressed his hopes for the initiative to be a catalyst for the exchange deal. In addition, he hopes that this initiative will reunite the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

He also said he hopes that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will embrace the initiative because it is in the interests of the Palestinian people and their just cause.

The following is the text of the proposed ceasefire agreement:

Subject: General outlines of a prospective Hudna or Truce between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authorities in Gaza

Date: January, 2008

Pursuant to this agreement, Israel and the Palestinian authorities in Gaza shall carry out the following obligations:

I- Israeli obligations

1-Terminate and immediately lift all sanctions against the Gaza Strip. This includes the following:

a - Allowing normal economic activities between Gaza and the outside world.

b - Re-opening all border crossings between Gaza and the outside world, including allowing normal travel movement as well as the flow of goods and services from and to the Strip.

c - Israel shall refrain from using security pretexts to harass, punish Gaza or re-impose sanctions, partially or fully.

d - Israel shall move immediately to terminate the financial blockade on the Gaza Strip and allow normal financial transactions between the Gaza Strip and the outside world.

2 - Israel shall immediately cease all hostilities against the Gaza Strip, including the following:

a - Cessation of all targeted killings and ambush, cessation of all aerial bombings, cessation of all incursions into Gaza, cessation of all arrests, detentions and hounding of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

II - Palestinian obligations:

The Authorities in the Gaza Strip would undertake to put an end to all attacks of any kind against Israel. This includes the following:

a - An immediate cessation of all attacks and firings of projectiles against Israel.

b - The authorities in the Gaza Strip undertake to impose a ceasefire on all groups and factions and individuals operating within the Gaza Strip.

c - The authorities in the Gaza Strip shall be held responsible for violations.

III-Verification:

The implementation of this agreement can be monitored and verified by a third party, subject to mutual consent.

IV- The agreement must be approved by the Palestinian Authority leadership in Ramallah, preferably by Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazen.

The Hamas-dominated government says truce is now in Israel's court

Wednesday February 13, 2008 19:20 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies rami at imemc dot org

The Hamas-dominated government in Gaza says that any truce 'Tahdiya' declaration, is now in Israel's court and linked with the Israeli actions on the ground.

In a statement, faxed to press, the Hamas government believes that ' the Palestinian people wont present a free Tahdiya to Israel until the Israeli aggression comes to a halt'.

The statement accused the caretaker Palestinian government in Ramallah of what it termed ' circulation of roles' in terms of cracking down on Palestinian resistance fighters in the occupied West Bank.

The Gaza-based government also confirmed it has been following up the developments on the ground very closely, in light of what the government says ' Israeli plans to undermine the Palestinian national project'.

" What is going on in the occupied east Jerusalem , mainly the Judizing of the Arab city by constructing 111 housing units as well as planned building of thousands more, is intended at transforming the holy city", reads the statement.

Since taking over the coastal region last June, amidst a power struggle with Fatah part of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, the Islamist movement has been placed under immense Israeli pressure, aimed at ending its rule in Gaza.

Recently, some Israeli officials hinted at Israel's willingness to end the rule of Hamas in the context of one year maximally.

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