Hamas’ conditions for ceasefire

The Alternative Information Center describes itself as “an internationally oriented, progressive, joint Palestinian-Israeli activist organization, located in Beit Sahour and Jerusalem.” As of July 20, a group of more than 200 Israelis had sent a letter to the European Council, Commission and the European Parliament calling on the EU to pressure Israel to accept Hamas’ terms of truce. And it had also gathered 725 Israeli signers as of July 21 on a Hebrew/Arabic online petition supporting Hamas’ conditions as a basis for immediate and direct negotiations.

According to media reports, these conditions are:

• Withdrawal of Israeli tanks from the Gaza border.

• Freeing all the prisoners who were arrested after the killing of the three youths.

• Lifting the siege and opening the border crossings to commerce and people.

• Establishing an international seaport and airport, which would be under U.N. supervision.

• Increasing the permitted fishing zone to 10 kilometers.

• Internationalizing the Rafah Crossing and placing it under the supervision of the U.N. and some Arab nations.

• International forces on the borders.

• Easing conditions for permits to pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque.

• Prohibition on Israeli interference in the reconciliation agreement.

• Re-establishing an industrial zone and improvements in further economic development in the Gaza Strip.

The AIC adds: “We are all appalled by the death and destruction in Gaza. Yet, this is not simply a tragedy; this is a policy. It can and it must be changed. It is in the power of political leaders and peaceful nations. We urge you to act immediately so that Israel ceases all violence against the people of Gaza, ends the siege and takes action toward a just peace.”

For more information, see the AIC website at tinyurl.com/lgm6cys.