Palestinian factions affirm commitment to 2014 Cairo Agreement on ceasefire

CAIRO - 26 July 2018: Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip affirmed their commitment to the Cairo Agreement on ceasefire signed in 2014.

During a press conference on Thursday, representatives of the active Palestinian factions contended that Israeli occupation forces breach the ceasefire agreement and they must be held accountable for that.

"The 2014 agreement signed in Cairo under Egyptian auspices is breached by the enemy, and we are committed to whatever the occupation is committed to. Israel is responsible for infringing the ceasefire," the leader of the Islamic Jihad movement said, confirming the Palestinian people’s right to defend themselves and resist the occupation.

The National Authority for the March of Return and Breaking the Siege in Gaza strip also announced the continuation of the marches that demand an end to the siege and freedom to the Palestinian people.

Following Israeli shelling on Gaza Strip, Egyptian officials have intensified their communication with both Palestinian and Israeli sides, in an attempt to prevent any potential military flare-ups in the Strip, Palestinian security sources said on Thursday.

Intensive contact was held on Wednesday midnight between Egyptian officials and the leaders of the Palestinian political factions and the Israeli occupation forces as part of Egypt’s efforts to put an end to Israeli aggression at the Gaza Strip and to reach a long-standing truce.

On Wednesday, three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli artillery shell in the eastern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, whereas Israeli forces claimed that Palestine opened fire at them and injured an Israeli soldier.

Over the past week, Israeli forces have been launching deadly air strikes at the Gaza Strip after the death of an Israeli soldier near the borders of the strip.

Previous reconciliation was signed in Cairo in October 2017 between Palestinian rival factions Fatah and Hamas in order to achieve more stability within the Palestinian land and authorities.

In September 2017, the Hamas movement announced the dissolution of the administrative committee in the Gaza Strip, inviting the Government of National Reconciliation to assume its duties and hold general elections. The movement affirmed it would comply with the Social Reconciliation Accord signed in 2011.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that there is no country as vital to the Palestinian cause as Egypt due to its historical and political position in the region. “Egypt has an opinion, a position and an interest in the Palestinian cause,” said Abbas.