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Israel and Hamas engaged in indirect talks, senior Hamas official says
Apr 27, 2015 | Jerusalem Post
By Jpost Staff
European, int'l diplomats mediating between parties on cease-fire, opening of seaport and release of Israeli soldiers' bodies, Ahmed Yousef tells Ma'an. -
Hamas Reveals : Indirect Communication with Israel
Apr 27, 2015 | NRG (Hebrew)
The European Union as initiated a series of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, as was revealed yesterday (Sunday), by the Palestinian news agency "Ma'an" -
Former US President Jimmy Carter to visit Gaza
Apr 27, 2015 | Daily Sabah
By Mehmet Celik
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who is known for speaking frankly about the Israel-Palestine conflict, is expected to visit the Gaza Strip and meet with officials from Hamas on Thursday, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. -
Jimmy Carter to attempt Fatah-Hamas mediation
Apr 27, 2015 | Middle East Eye
Former US President Jimmy Carter is undertaking Saudi-backed mediation efforts between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, a Palestinian source said Sunday. -
Carter, Saudi seek mediation between Palestinian factions
Apr 26, 2015 | Middle East Monitor
Former US President Jimmy Carter is undertaking Saudi-backed mediation efforts between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, a Palestinian source said Sunday. -
Riyadh to mediate reconciliation between Egypt, Qatar & Turkey: Hamas
Apr 27, 2015 | Ahram Online
Senior figure in Hamas says he hopes reconciliation efforts will also improve relations between Cairo and the Palestinian Islamist group -
Former U.S. President to arrive in Gaza
Apr 27, 2015 | World Bulletin
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will arrive in the Gaza Strip on Thursday to meet with officials from Palestinian faction Hamas, a security source said Sunday. -
JIMMY CARTER TO MEET HAMAS MILITANTS IN GAZA THIS WEEK
Apr 27, 2015 | Breitbart
By Jordan Schachtel
Former U.S. Democratic President Jimmy Carter will travel to the Gaza Strip on Thursday and meet with officials from Hamas, the Jihadist terror organization that rules the Palestinian territory. -
Jimmy Carter to visit Gaza to end Palestinian split: Hamas
Apr 27, 2015 | English East Day (Xinhua)
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter will pay a visit to the Gaza Strip on Thursday in a bid to end an internal Palestinian division, a senior Hamas official said Sunday.
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Israel and Hamas engaged in indirect talks, senior Hamas official says
Apr 27, 2015 | Jerusalem Post
By Jpost Staff
Israel and Hamas are engaed in indirect "chats" through European mediation, senior Hamas official Ahmed Yousef told the Palestinian Ma'an News Agency on Sunday.
According to Yousef, a senior adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the indirect talks on the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, and the possible opening of a seaport to end the Israeli blockade of Gaza, are expected to increase after the new Israeli government is formed in the coming weeks.
"European diplomats and civil society activists come to the Gaza Strip constantly and pose Israeli viewpoints and convey the reaction of the movement through unofficial chats," Yousef said.
An Israeli official dismissed the report. "There are no negotiations with Hamas," he said.
The Hamas official said that international parties were also mediating efforts to return the bodies of Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer that are thought to still be in Gaza.
"Hamas has a lot of important cards to play, and surprises on the topic of the missing soldiers," he said, adding that a "Hamas surprise" would be revealed after the formation of the new Israeli government.
Yousef told Ma'an that a condition of Hamas releasing the bodies was Israel's first releasing Palestinian prisoners freed in the Gilad Schalit deal who were rearrested during Operation Brother's Keeper which followed the kidnapping of three Israeli teens in the West Bank in June 2014.
Former US president Jimmy Carter is scheduled to arrive in Gaza on April 30, and Yousef said that he will meet with Hamas leaders, and then meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to help mediate between the two factions' stalled national reconciliation.http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-and-Hamas-engaged-in-indirect-talks-senior-Hamas-official-says-399315
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Hamas Reveals : Indirect Communication with Israel
Apr 27, 2015 | NRG (Hebrew)
The European Union as initiated a series of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, as was revealed yesterday (Sunday), by the Palestinian news agency "Ma'an" quoting a senior official from the Islamic Movement, Ahmed Yousef. According to Yousef in “M'aan” Hamas is waiting for the establishment of the new Israeli government in order to move the talks forward and for the talks to become more serious.
How does it work? the Arab website reported that European diplomats and civil society activists often come to the Gaza Strip to communicate Israeli positions on various issues. Later via informal talks, Hamas' response is transferred to Jerusalem
For example, explained Yousef, the parties are talking on issues regarding the cease-fire and the seaport that the Gazan terrorist movement is seeking to establish in the Gaza strip. Hamas’s purpose is to try to "solve the issue of the blockade through a sea port that will lead us to the outside world."
At the same time, Yousef denied that there is a direct relationship between Israel and Hamas. He added that the arrival of former US President Jimmy Carter to Gaza soon is designed to try to reconcile the various factions in the Gaza Strip and reconciliation in the Palestinian Authority. At the same time, he said, Hamas will discuss a ceasefire with Israel, with Carter.
He also noted that several international bodies are talking with the organization about the issue of body parts of Israeli soldiers killed in “Defensive Edge” and which have been declared by the IDF as missing - Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin." Hamas has a list of important cards to play with, and surprises on the topic of missing soldiers. "
For example, explained Yousef, Hamas declared Jerusalem and other parties involved in the negotiations that no agreement will be reached on this issue until Israel meets its earlier agreements with the organization and release the activists re-arrested after the abduction of two Gush Etzion youths last year.
http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/691/303.html
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Former US President Jimmy Carter to visit Gaza
Apr 27, 2015 | Daily Sabah
By Mehmet Celik
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who is known for speaking frankly about the Israel-Palestine conflict, is expected to visit the Gaza Strip and meet with officials from Hamas on Thursday, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
"Carter will arrive in Gaza on Thursday through the Erez border crossing to meet with leading Hamas officials," a Palestinian security source, requesting anonymity, told AA.
Carter is scheduled to arrive in Gaza on April 30 and meet with Hamas leaders and then meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
Israel has officially decided to boycott Carter's visit: "There are no negotiations with Hamas," said Ahmed Yousef, a senior Hamas official, according to the Jerusalem Post.
As a peace negotiator in the Arab-Israeli conflict, Carter has been one of the most successful regarding his contributions among U.S. politicians.
"There is no humane or legal justification for how the Israeli Defense Force is conducting this war, pulverizing with bombs, missiles and artillery large parts of Gaza, including thousands of homes, schools and hospitals, displacing families and killing Palestinian non-combatants," a Guardian newspaper article penned by Carter and Mary Robinson in August 2014 asserted.
His firm stance regarding Israel's treatment of Palestinians and their policies on occupied territory has attracted strong criticism, including accusing him to be anti-Semitic.
Carter, who was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to peace promoting in international conflicts, previously visited the Gaza Strip in 2009 and held several meetings with leading Hamas figures.
In June 2014, three Israeli teenagers went missing and Israel attacked Gaza, after they were found to have been murdered. In retaliation, a Palestinian teenager, Muhammad Abu Khdeir, was burned to death as revenge by far-right extremist Israelis.
The Israeli attack on the West Bank was responded to by Hamas. In July 2014, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, a full fledge attack on Gaza City, killing more than 2,000 civilians, injuring more than 10,000 and destroying the city.
The Israeli offensive, launched with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, also left 73 Israelis dead, mostly soldiers.
Israel continues to increase the number of settlements on occupied territory, despite criticism from the U.S., U.N. and other international human rights organizations. Furthermore, since the cease-fire of August 2014, Israel has attack Gaza 400 times, whereas only four rockets have reportedly been fired into Israel.http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2015/04/27/former-us-president-jimmy-carter-to-visit-gaza
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Jimmy Carter to attempt Fatah-Hamas mediation
Apr 27, 2015 | Middle East Eye
Former US President Jimmy Carter is undertaking Saudi-backed mediation efforts between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, a Palestinian source said Sunday.
"Carter has lately met with prominent Saudi officials and urged their intervention to achieve reconciliation between Palestinian factions, which was welcomed by Riyadh," the source, requesting anonymity, told The Anadolu Agency.
"The Saudi government has begun preparations for mediation between the two [Palestinian] movements to reach a 'Mecca II' agreement," the source said.
In 2007, late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz brokered the first Mecca agreement between Hamas and Fatah, which led to the formation of a short-lived Palestinian unity government.
The 2007 unity government collapsed after clashes began between the two factions months later, which culminated with Hamas' control of the Gaza Strip.
Another unity government was agreed between Hamas and Fatah in June 2014, ending a seven-year dispute between the two Palestinian movements. But the reconciliation deal has largely failed to manifest, with little changing on the ground in the Gaza Strip.
"The Saudi government is seeking guarantees from both Fatah and Hamas that they're serious about reconciliation before mediation efforts would start," the source added.
Carter recently visited Qatar and met with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who assured him that his movement is serious about reconciling with Fatah, the source said.
Carter will arrive in Gaza on Thursday to hold talks with leading Hamas members, he added.
The Israeli news site Ynet had said that Carter would be arriving on 30 April on a three-day visit to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
According to Ynet, the Israeli Foreign Ministry advised President Reuven Rivlin not to meet Carter during his visit.
"Israel has officially decided to boycott Carter's visit, but it won't bar him from entering Israel or from crossing to Gaza," the report said.
Carter has been one of the most prominent US figures to openly criticise Israel, at times using the word “apartheid” to describe its treatment of Palestinians. He also has spoken of the need to negotiate with Hamas.
"Only by recognizing its legitimacy as a political actor - one that represents a substantial portion of the Palestinian people - can the West begin to provide the right incentives for Hamas to lay down its weapons," Carter wrote in 2014.A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Carter visited the Gaza Strip in 2009 and held several meetings with leading Hamas figures, including the group's deputy leader Ismail Haniyeh.
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jimmy-carter-attempt-fatah-hamas-mediation-1818087710
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Carter, Saudi seek mediation between Palestinian factions
Apr 26, 2015 | Middle East Monitor
Former US President Jimmy Carter is undertaking Saudi-backed mediation efforts between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, a Palestinian source said Sunday.
"Carter has lately met with prominent Saudi officials and urged their intervention to achieve reconciliation between Palestinian factions, which was welcomed by Riyadh," the source, requesting anonymity, told Anadolu Agency.
"The Saudi government has begun preparations for mediation between the two [Palestinian] movements to reach a 'Mecca II' agreement," the source said.
In 2007, late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz brokered the first Mecca agreement between Hamas and Fatah, which led to the formation of a short-lived Palestinian unity government.
The 2007 unity government collapsed after clashes began between the two factions months later, which culminated with Hamas' control of the Gaza Strip.
"The Saudi government is seeking guarantees from both Fatah and Hamas that they're serious about reconciliation before mediation efforts would start," the source added.
Carter had recently visited Qatar and met with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal who assured him that his movement is serious about reconciling with Fatah, the source said.
Carter will arrive in Gaza on Thursday to hold talks with leading Hamas members, he added.
Israeli news outlet Ynet had said that Carter would be arriving on April 30 on a three-day visit to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza strip.
"Israel has officially decided to boycott Carter's visit, but it won't bar him from entering Israel or from crossing to Gaza," the report said.
A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Carter visited the Gaza Strip in 2009 and held several meetings with leading Hamas figures, including the group's deputy leader Ismail Haniyeh
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/americas/18271-carter-saudi-seek-mediation-between-palestinian-factions
other links:
Albawaba: http://www.albawaba.com/news/us-president-carter-mediation-hamas-fatah-palestinian-factions-687162
Andolou Agnecy: http://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/499942--carter-saudi-seek-mediation-between-palestinian-factions
Videonews: http://news.videonews.us/carter-saudi-seek-mediation-palestinian-factions-266394.html
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Riyadh to mediate reconciliation between Egypt, Qatar & Turkey: Hamas
Apr 27, 2015 | Ahram Online
A leading figure in the Hamas Islamist movement has unveiled Saudi endeavors aimed at achieving political reconciliation between Turkey, Qatar and Egypt.
Speaking to the Palestinian Ma'an news agency on Sunday, Ahmed Youssef stated that such efforts will "definitely improve relations between Hamas and Cairo."
Youssef added that Saudi Arabia will also seek to improve Hamas-Egypt relations after the end of the ongoing war in Yemen in which Riyadh is leading an Arab military coalition against Houthi militants.
He mentioned that Egypt's intelligence officials assured Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk of the willingness of Cairo to open a new chapter in relations.
"Qataris and Turks have spoken to Saudi King Salman over mediation in the issue of opening the Rafah crossing. We are waiting for Saudi Arabia to finalise its preoccupations in Yemen to start acting on the Palestinian issue," said Youssef.
Egyptian relations with Turkey, Qatar and Hamas have severely deteriorated since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
Turkey and Qatar are regional allies of the Muslim Brotherhood – of which Morsi is a leading member – while Hamas represents a politico-ideological offshoot of the Islamist movement.
Last February, the Cairo Court for Urgent Matters ruled Hamas a terrorist organisation, a month after the group's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was also designated a terror group by the same court.
However, one month later, the Egyptian government appealed against the court ruling.
Egypt's cabinet declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group in December 2013, and the authorities have since charged many Brotherhood members with offences including support for terrorism.
'Unofficial talks' with Israel
Youssef, moreover, revealed European-brokered "unofficial talks" between Hamas and Israel, denying direct connections between Tel Aviv and the Islamist movement.
He said Hamas is waiting for the formation of the next Israeli coalition government in order for "things to be taken more seriously."
"European diplomats or civil society activists continuously come to Gaza to express Israeli views and go back to report what Hamas members told them. But all of these talks are unofficial," mentioned the Hamas official.
Youssef said that one of the issues discussed lately during such talks involved finding a solution to the Israeli siege on Gaza via a sea lane.
Youssef, an ex-advisor of Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Haniya, spoke about foreign mediatory efforts over the Israeli soldiers taken as hostages by Hamas, arguing that the latter has "several important cards" on the issue.
"We told all mediators that there will be no new deals before Israel becomes committed to the terms of the Cairo deal about releasing the Palestinians who were re-arrested after the kidnapping of three settlers in the West Bank city of Hebron last year," said Youssef.
He said that such matters will also be examined after the finalisation of Israel's new government.
He also mentioned the expected visit by former US president Jimmy Carter to Gaza on Thursday to discuss the problem of Palestinian reconciliation with Hamas officials.
Youssef said Carter will meet Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Haniya, a number of Palestinian factions in the coastal enclave and minister in the Fatah-Hamas unity government.
Youssef said Carter will be accompanied by a delegation of the Elders – an independent group of global leaders – of which he is a member.
In his talks with Palestinian officials, Youssef said, Carter will tackle the issues of activating the role of the unity government, the next Palestinian elections and the ongoing truce with Israel.
"The man presented suggestions on Palestinian reconciliation in the past as part of his interest in playing a role in the matter," asserted Youssef.
Youssef emphasised that Egypt is playing no role in this in the meantime.
Egypt sponsored indirect talks last August between the Israeli government and Palestinian factions that halted a 50-day Israeli offensive on Gaza.
The offensive led to the death of 2,140 Palestinians, with more than 12,000 injured. Seventy-three people, mostly soldiers, died on the Israeli side.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/128762/World/Region/Riyadh-to-mediate-reconciliation-between-Egypt,-Qa.aspx
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Former U.S. President to arrive in Gaza
Apr 27, 2015 | World Bulletin
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will arrive in the Gaza Strip on Thursday to meet with officials from Palestinian faction Hamas, a security source said Sunday.
"Carter will arrive in Gaza on Thursday through the [Israeli-controlled] Erez border crossing to meet with leading Hamas officials," a Palestinian security source, requesting anonymity, told The Anadolu Agency.
Maher Abu Sabha, head of the Palestinian border authority, for his part, told AA that the head of Carter's office will arrive in Gaza within hours accompanied by a security delegation via the Erez crossing to prepare for Carter's imminent visit.
Israeli news outlet Ynet had said that Carter would be arriving on April 30 on a three-day visit to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza strip.
"Israel has officially decided to boycott Carter's visit, but it won't bar him from entering Israel or from crossing to Gaza," the report said.
A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Carter visited the Gaza Strip in 2009 and held several meetings with leading Hamas figures, including the group's deputy leader Ismail Haniyeh.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/158352/former-us-president-to-arrive-in-gaza
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JIMMY CARTER TO MEET HAMAS MILITANTS IN GAZA THIS WEEK
Apr 27, 2015 | Breitbart
By Jordan Schachtel
“Carter will arrive in Gaza on Thursday through the [Israeli-controlled] Erez border crossing to meet with leading Hamas officials,” a Palestinian security spokesperson toldAnadolu Agency, a news outlet based in Turkey.
Carter, 90, will meet with the Hamas military chief Ismail Haneya, Xinhua reports.
He will attempt to seek reconciliation between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, the latter which rules the Palestinian areas of the West Bank. Carter has urged Saudi officials to help with his mediation efforts.
“Carter has lately met with prominent Saudi officials and urged their intervention to achieve reconciliation between Palestinian factions, which was welcomed by Riyadh,” a Hamas spokesperson told Anadolu Agency. “The Saudi government has begun preparations for mediation between the two movements to reach a ‘Mecca II’ agreement,” the spokesperson added.
Carter plans to arrive in the region on Thursday for a 3-day tour of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. His request to meet with Israel’s President and Prime Minister wasdenied. In refusing to meet with the 39th U.S. President, both offices cited his anti-Israel, pro-Hamas sentiments.
During the 2014 Israeli operation against Hamas, codenamed Operation Protective Edge, Carter advocated for the removal of the jihadi organization – which is sworn to Israel’s destruction – from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. As the terror outfit was firing rockets at Israeli civilian areas and using women and children as human shields, and hiding missile stockpiles in children’s schools, Carter slammed the Jewish state, saying that there was “no justification in the world for what Israel is doing,” without condemning Hamas.
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/04/27/jimmy-carter-to-meet-hamas-militants-in-gaza-this-week/
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Jimmy Carter to visit Gaza to end Palestinian split: Hamas
Apr 27, 2015 | English East Day (Xinhua)
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter will pay a visit to the Gaza Strip on Thursday in a bid to end an internal Palestinian division, a senior Hamas official said Sunday.
Leading a delegation representing the International Committee of Wise Men, Carter will have talks with Hamas leaders in Gaza, including Ismail Haneya, the Islamist movement's deputy chief, Ahmed Yousef told Xinhua.
The talks will tackle a number of issues including the ties with Israel to reinforce a cease-fire and a new prisoner swap deal, Yousef added.
In August, a fragile truce put an end to a 50-day war in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas militants. About 2,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed during the fighting. On the Israeli side, it claimed the lives of 73 people, all but six were soldiers.
Carter visited Gaza in 2010, right after a three-week large-scale Israeli military operation waged on the coastal enclave.
On Sunday, officials from the committee that Carter chairs arrived in the Gaza Strip to prepare for Thursday's visit.
http://english.eastday.com/auto/eastday/world/u1ai8485337.html
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