RAMALLAH
Palestinian negotiators who would engage in resumed indirect talks with Israel in Cairo for a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip would stick to the "resistance demands," including the end of Israeli siege on Gaza and allowing the establishment of a seaport, a Palestinian source said.
"Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad would stick to the Palestinian demands, while Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has an almost similar stance," the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Anadolu Agency.
The Palestinian delegation, made up of representatives from several factions, would hold a meeting in Cairo later Sunday to propose amendments to an Egyptian ceasefire initiative, the source added.
Wassel Abu Youssef, senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas gave the Palestinian delegation "full powers" in the Egyptian-brokered talks.
Asked about the possibility of extending a five-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which is due to expire by Monday midnight, Abu Youssef said that the delegation would decide on that depending on the progress of the talks.
The new five-day ceasefire between Palestinian factions and Israel went into effect on Thursday as part of efforts aimed at reaching a durable truce deal.
Palestinian factions have linked any permanent ceasefire to concessions by Israel, including the lifting of a years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing the establishment of a Gaza seaport, reopening Gaza's closed border crossings and rebuilding of Gaza's airport.
The talks follow more than a month of Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territory, leaving nearly 1980 Palestinians dead and around 10,000 others injured.
About 64 Israeli troops were also killed in Gaza combat, while three civilians were killed by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, according to official Israeli figures.
By Qais Abu Samra
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
