If rockets stop, Cairo talks likely to resume — Peri

Science Minister Yaakov Peri, an observer at the security cabinet and former head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, says if the rocket fire stopped, it’s likely ceasefire talks will resume.

“If a ceasefire goes into effect, and it sticks, there is a good chance that the prime minister will instruct the delegation to return to the talks in Cairo,” he tells Israel Radio.

“Generally, we will agree to open the crossings,” he says, referring to Erez and the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing where humanitarian aid passes.

Regarding the Rafah crossing with Egypt, “that is a decision for the Egyptians,” although Israel would support the deployment of Palestinian Authority security personnel at the terminal, he says, defining the broad outline of a limited arrangement.

But a more comprehensive arrangement — involving Israel facilitating the reconstruction of Gaza in exchange for its demilitarization — is “far off,” he says.

— AFP