Abu-Marzouk: No Palestinian delegation in Cairo to discuss ceasefire

Senior Hamas leader Mousa Abu-Marzouk denied newspapers reports that the group had sent a delegation to Cairo to discuss the Egyptian initiative set to end the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

In a brief telephone call with the Anadolu news agency, Abu-Marzouk said: “No delegation has arrived yet… everything that was said is untrue.”

A source close to Hamas told Anadolu: “The resistance is sticking to its conditions.” The source added: “The delay in the delegation’s arrival to Cairo might be that Hamas does not believe it would achieve the resistance’s conditions.”

The Palestinian factions wanted the eight year siege on Gaza to be lifted and for prisoners released in 2011 Shalit Swap to be to be freed again as conditions for any ceasefire.

Secretary of the PLO Yasser Abed Rabbo said on Tuesday that a Palestinian delegation including Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad representatives was ready to travel to Cairo to discuss a ceasefire.

Approximately two weeks ago, Egypt suggested a ceasefire initiative including opening the Gaza crossings, facilitating the movement of people and goods in and out of the Strip and affording a stable security situation on the ground.

The Palestinian resistance refused the initiative because the agreement required that fighting stop before negotiations on the terms begin. The resistance also wanted international brokers to be present during any prospective deal.