Cairo talks resume after extension of Gaza truce

The negotiating teams from Israel and for the Palestinians are set to resume their talks in Cairo on Tuesday after the two sides agreed earlier to extend a truce for another 24 hours.
Radio Israel is meanwhile quoting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying, earlier Monday, that Israel was "prepared for any scenario," with the Israel Defense Forces ready "for a very firm action if fire is resumed".
According to many observers, the negotiators are faced with an impossible task; reaching an agreement for a lasting truce and peace in Gaza Strip.
Israel on Tuesday leaked that US Secretary of State John Kerry is to visit Tel Aviv and that a secret agreement was reached between the US and Israel for a gradual lift of the siege on Gaza.
This could imply Israel wants to do away with the Egyptian sponsorship of the talks as the Palestinians demand agreement on establishment of a land and a sea port in Gaza Strip to agree to a lasting truce.
However this development is read, members of the Palestinian team had today stated the talks are almost at the point of collapse, having so far yielded no tangible results that could be built on.
Jerusalem Post is meanwhile reporting that the Israeli Army is urging Israelis living near Gaza Strip to remain in a secure fortified place in fear of new Palestinian missile attacks.
The warnings are issued "after a few days of no restrictions on residents' movements in the concerned areas," the paper noted, hinting this could mean renewed confrontations are on the cards.
The paper said Egypt had sponsored several rounds of indirect negotiations over the past eight days amid reports that the parties are working out an agreement that meets some of the Palestinian demands and postpones discussion of others for one month.
"Unconfirmed Palestinian sources said that Israel agreed Monday to certain conditions such as opening Gaza border crossings for building materials to be transferred under international supervision, and an extension of the enclave's fishing zone by an additional six miles," the paper said.
"Should both sides fail to reach an agreement, Israel hopes for a de facto understanding that quiet will be met with quiet," it added.
"As a protective measure, as an initial eight-day cease-fire expired Monday night, IDF troops amassed at the Gaza border, in case the process fell apart and quickly descended into violence.
"As another precaution, train service between the southern cities of Ashkelon and Sderot was halted on Monday, because the carriages are not protected." According to Israeli Premier Netanyahu, "We are prepared for any scenario." The remarks came during Netanyahu's visit to the Ashdod Naval Base on Monday evening.
Netanyahu had also been on a surprise unannounced visit, Monday, to Sderot near Gaza where he met a group of Israeli volunteers and discussed the state of affairs with them.
Source: KUNA