ISRAEL/PALESTINE

February 11-17

According to reports, Israel and Hamas have been holding indirect talks under an agreement reached between the two sides following a one-week long conflict in November 2012. The talks are focused on easing the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, and opening the Rafah border crossing to enable construction materials from Qatar into Gaza and agricultural produce to enter Israel from Gaza. Both sides communicate only via Egyptian mediators. 1

• 1. “Israel, Hamas negotiating truce agreements: report”, The Daily Star, February 16, 2013 at http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Feb-16/206701-israel-hamas...