Gaza Strip: tensions between Hamas and Israel, as negotiations stall

The balloons filled with flammable materials sent from Gaza into Israeli territory are one way for Hamas to force negotiations on Israel (Photo illustration). REUTERS / Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

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It has been two weeks since tensions resumed around the Gaza Strip. Activists linked to Hamas in power in this Palestinian enclave, send incendiary balloons daily towards Israeli territory. In response, the army bombs positions presented as paramilitary in the territory every night.

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From our correspondent in Jerusalem ,   Guilhem Delteil

This type of contained confrontation has developed since the start of the March of Return, a protest movement launched in the Gaza Strip in March 2018 to demand the lifting of the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on the Palestinian enclave.

The launching of incendiary balloons, sometimes accompanied by rocket fire, is one way for Hamas to force negotiations on Israel. In return, Israel shows its firmness but wants to avoid an escalation.

The Egyptians and the UN as mediators

As always, the Egyptian intelligence services, assisted by the UN, play the role of intermediaries between the two parties. A delegation visited Gaza on Monday. But for now, the negotiations are stalling and the standoff continues.

This delegation is said to have proposed a six-month extension of Qatar's financial aid to the Palestinian enclave. But Hamas wants to obtain strong measures to ease the blockade: the granting of more work permits in Israel for Gazans or the construction of a new electricity distribution line.

For the Israeli government, to meet these demands would be to give in to pressure from a group considered to be terrorist. For the time being, the talks are unsuccessful and in a position of retaliation, Israel has tightened its blockade.

Gazans now have only four hours of electricity a day. In response, Palestinian armed groups are threatening to target Israeli power stations.

►Also read: Gaza: new Israeli strikes in retaliation for incendiary balloons

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  • Palestinian territories
  • Israel
  • Gaza

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Gaza: new Israeli strikes in retaliation for incendiary balloons