Palestinian factions signal no renewal of hostilities

The ceasefire talks are still ongoing, but representatives of Palestinian terror groups in Gaza say the fighting might be done.

Deputy head of Islamic Jihad Ziad Nakhleh tells the al-Hayat newspaper that hostilities are behind us, and at this stage there’s no choice but to reach a long-term ceasefire agreement. Khaled al-Batsh, another senior member of the terror group, said Thursday that if a deal isn’t reached that addresses the demands of the Palestinians, the groups in Gaza would weigh a long-term ceasefire to protect the civilian population.

A Hamas source tells Israel Radio that he believes the fighting won’t start again, even if a deal isn’t reached by Monday. Talks are expected to restart on Sunday, but Hamas officials say discussion of major talking points remains.

Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz says that Israel should wait and see what Israel accomplished in Operation Protective Edge before drawing conclusions from the more than month-long conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Peretz, a former defense minister, tells Israel Radio that Israel and the Palestinians are reaching the end of ceasefire negotiations and “this is the most important part of it.”