The Center for Democracy and Community Development
Jerusalem/Gaza
Gaza Calmness between illusion...and reality
by
Ali AbuShahla
Gaza
Monitoring Report on
The Calmness Agreement (Lull) Between
Israel and Hamas
19/6/2008 - 19/12/2008
December 23rd, 2008
Reviewed By Dr.Riad Al-Ailah & Walid Salem
Reedited by: Martijn Dekker
Jerusalem/Gaza
Gaza Calmness between illusion...and reality
by
Ali AbuShahla
Gaza
Monitoring Report on
The Calmness Agreement (Lull) Between
Israel and Hamas
19/6/2008 - 19/12/2008
December 23rd, 2008
Reviewed By Dr.Riad Al-Ailah & Walid Salem
Reedited by: Martijn Dekker
The Calmness Agreement: summary
On Thursday the nineteenth of June 2008, at six in the morning, Egypt officially declared the start of the Calmness Agreement between Israel and Hamas. It was mediated by Egypt (in the person of the Minister of Intelligence –Omar Suleiman), and welcomed by the PA and president Mahmoud Abbas. It was implemented in Gaza only and at a later stage in the West Bank. In the agreement, Hamas agreed to stop rockets being fired at southern Israel for six months, whether these rockets would come from Hamas or any other Palestinian faction or party. In turn, Israel approved to stop its aggressions in the Gaza Strip and to stop attacking the leaders and fighters of Hamas and its offices (as declared by the Israeli PM Ihud Olmert to the BBC on 18/6/2008, adding that such an agreement will be a fragile one and that Israel is ready to respond to any breach of the agreement by Hamas side.)
It was also agreed that Israel will reopen the border crossings and exceed gradually the transportation of food and several other goods, necessary for the Palestinians in Gaza. However, Israel has not fulfilled this condition. According to statistics by Paltrade, COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories), and other institutions, Israel increased the number of trucks to Gaza by 10% only, and also Israel is still controlling date, type and quantities of goods transported to Gaza, including gas and fuel. Due to the commencement of the month of Ramadan on 1 September 2008, Israel increased the quantities of gas somewhat, although still not in required quantities.
Israel accepted the agreement to stop rockets being fired on the southern towns of Israel, because it had started to put the Israeli government in a critical internal position, which led to losing its popularity. On the other hand, Hamas wanted to have a rest by preventing Israeli attacks on its fighters, leaders and centers, also to reinforce its arsenal in Gaza through smuggling weapons from Egypt. All this to be ready in case of a breach of the Calmness Agreement, leading to an Israeli invasion, and also to give more attention to the internal situation in Gaza, as Hamas begun to lose its popularity among the Palestinians in Gaza. Hamas also entered the agreement to improve the harsh conditions and lift the closures that Gaza's people endure.
Rafah crossing was not included in the unwritten agreement between the two parties, as Israel linked the reopening of Rafah crossing with the release of the captive Israeli soldier Gila'ad Shalit . Only after his release will it be reopened according to the treaty signed in this regard in 2005 between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. However, although Hamas agreed on this fundamental condition, it is still rejecting to give a major role to the PA and presidential guard at Rafah border crossing and other Gaza crossings.
The majority of Arab countries as well as Western countries, including USA welcomed the Calmness Agreement. Arab countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan asked the Palestinians to benefit of the Agreement in order to achieve internal dialogue and reconciliation between the different Palestinian factions, especially between Hamas and Fatah.
This report is based on information collected from newspapers, internet web-sites, radio and TV news broadcasts, statements and declarations of both sides and others, and from information from civil society organizations and local/international human rights organizations, since the commencement of the Calmness Agreement up to 19/12/2008.
It was also agreed that Israel will reopen the border crossings and exceed gradually the transportation of food and several other goods, necessary for the Palestinians in Gaza. However, Israel has not fulfilled this condition. According to statistics by Paltrade, COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories), and other institutions, Israel increased the number of trucks to Gaza by 10% only, and also Israel is still controlling date, type and quantities of goods transported to Gaza, including gas and fuel. Due to the commencement of the month of Ramadan on 1 September 2008, Israel increased the quantities of gas somewhat, although still not in required quantities.
Israel accepted the agreement to stop rockets being fired on the southern towns of Israel, because it had started to put the Israeli government in a critical internal position, which led to losing its popularity. On the other hand, Hamas wanted to have a rest by preventing Israeli attacks on its fighters, leaders and centers, also to reinforce its arsenal in Gaza through smuggling weapons from Egypt. All this to be ready in case of a breach of the Calmness Agreement, leading to an Israeli invasion, and also to give more attention to the internal situation in Gaza, as Hamas begun to lose its popularity among the Palestinians in Gaza. Hamas also entered the agreement to improve the harsh conditions and lift the closures that Gaza's people endure.
Rafah crossing was not included in the unwritten agreement between the two parties, as Israel linked the reopening of Rafah crossing with the release of the captive Israeli soldier Gila'ad Shalit . Only after his release will it be reopened according to the treaty signed in this regard in 2005 between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. However, although Hamas agreed on this fundamental condition, it is still rejecting to give a major role to the PA and presidential guard at Rafah border crossing and other Gaza crossings.
The majority of Arab countries as well as Western countries, including USA welcomed the Calmness Agreement. Arab countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan asked the Palestinians to benefit of the Agreement in order to achieve internal dialogue and reconciliation between the different Palestinian factions, especially between Hamas and Fatah.
This report is based on information collected from newspapers, internet web-sites, radio and TV news broadcasts, statements and declarations of both sides and others, and from information from civil society organizations and local/international human rights organizations, since the commencement of the Calmness Agreement up to 19/12/2008.
