Gaza blockade on way to ease as proximity talks continue

Trucks carrying supplies cross into Rafah town through the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip, June 17, 2010. Photo: Xinhua

US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell discussed on Saturday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak efforts to ease the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and progress of Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks.

Mitchell, who wrapped up his regional tour aimed at following up the developments of the US-brokered indirect Palestinian- Israeli peace negotiations, briefed the Egyptian president on the outcome of his talks with Palestinian and Israeli officials.

The Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza strip figured high on the agenda of Mitchell's meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian officials with signs of easing the siege looming in the offing.

The Israeli government announced on Thursday plans to ease restrictions on the entry of basic commodities and construction materials to the Strip.

An Israeli governmental statement said three general moves were approved by the security cabinet: the method currently used to allow civilian commodities into Gaza will be changed to allow more goods to be transported into the Strip; building materials for civilian projects may be brought in but under supervision; the current security measures will remain in place to prevent military materiel from entering Gaza.

However, analysts suggest that such relaxation is not a permanent solution for the Gaza siege.

Dr. Emad Gad, an Israeli affairs expert in Egypt's Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, ruled out that the siege imposed on the Palestinian enclave will end soon, saying that Tel Aviv will suffice with easing the blockade in response to the international pressure, especially following its attack on the Gaza-bound aid convoy in which nine activists were killed.

"There will be no lift of the siege imposed on Gaza. It will be just eased through coordination between Israel and international organizations," he said.

Gad also ruled out a Palestinian reconciliation will be reached soon which could help putting an end to the blockade.

"Both Fatah and Egypt still insist that Hamas has to sign the Egypt-brokered pact first before discussing any amendments, but Hamas insists that amendments come first," Gad said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Abul Gheit said Saturday following the meeting between Mubarak and Mitchell that his country has no intention to amend the Palestinian national reconciliation document it brokered.

"Amendments to the reconciliation paper are totally unacceptable regardless of what they are," Abul Gheit said, urging Hamas to sign the document, which was already signed by Fatah unilaterally.

"And then they (Hamas) could debate directly any reservations they have with the Palestinian National Authority," the minister said.

Meanwhile, Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat denied reports that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had accepted another reconciliation plan proposed by Hamas.