Israeli and Egyptian government officials are engaged in high-level talks towards hammering out a ceasefire agreement that will hopefully bring quiet to Gaza. The ongoing process is also the result of mounting US pressure on Israel.

Senior Israel Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad was in Cairo earlier this week for talks, a second such visit within a week, as he continues shuttle diplomacy efforts towards a deal that will eventually lead to the reopening of the Rafiah border crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt.

Seeking to have the economic sanctions on Gaza lifted, leaders of the Hamas-led Gaza terrorist administration seem willing to abide by a ceasefire in return for lifting of the sanctions. Hamas is extremely pressure  to have the border crossing reopened, as are the American and European communities, also seeking to redeploy EU border observers, who have left their posts due to the escalation in warfare in the area.

Egyptian Chief of Intelligence Omar Suleiman recently cancelled a planned visit to Jerusalem, declaring Israel’s bombing raids on PA civilians in Gaza make it impossible for come to Jerusalem under such conditions. Suleiman did however meet with Gilad in Egypt during his most recent visit.

America is pressing hard on Jerusalem to reach an agreement with Egypt, with Assistant Secretary of State David Welch recently visiting the region, telling Gilad Israel must do everything possible towards reaching an agreement with Egypt, stating Egypt is extremely anxious for this to occur at present.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)