Indirect Israel – Hamas Talks Interrupted by Abbas/PA’s Insistence to be Primary Party

The latest moment of optimism that Israel could come to a cease-fire agreement with Gaza Strip governors Hamas lasted about a day before falling apart under demands by the Palestinian Authority’s President Mahmoud Abbas that all negotiations be channeled through his office. On Sunday, Hamas announced the talks have been halted, the declaration coming closely on the heels of an optimistic assessment by the Egyptians who are mediating the search for calm along the Israel-Gaza border that has seen growing unrest and violence since March. The use of kites to drop incendiary devices into Israeli agricultural land continues to damage fertile growing fields and is providing a source of popular pressure on the Israeli military. On Saturday alone, at least eight fires broke out inside of Israel because of the terror-toys. Israeli political and security officials are under growing pressure to end the seemingly endless violent demonstrations and loss of property due to the incendiary devices even if it means another ground invasion by the Israeli military.