Ministers will meet today at 15:00 for the second time in a week to discuss security tensions in the Gaza Strip • The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that in the last two days there have been contacts between Hamas and Israel through mediators.
The Political-Security Cabinet will convene today (Monday) at 15:00 to discuss an emergency, following the rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, indirect contacts led by senior Egyptian intelligence officials, as well as UN diplomats, continue in an attempt to reduce tensions between Israel and Hamas and halt the escalation following the violent events in Jerusalem and rocket launches from Gaza to the enveloping communities over the weekend.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar learned from its Hamas sources that contacts between the terrorist organization and Israel had taken place in the past two days through the mediators.
However, Hamas has rejected any lull as long as Israel's policy in Jerusalem continues, and is interested in "preventing any invasion by settlers into the al-Aqsa Mosque, and halting Jewish programs in the city and allowing Palestinian elections in the eastern part of the capital."
According to sources, Hamas warned in its message to Egypt that the continuation of Israel's policy "will lead to an explosion in various areas, especially in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, even if it worsens the situation in the Gaza Strip and things develop into a major conflict."