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this Meeting Analysts say that the conflict between Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi may focus on easing tensions between Israeli and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip, and May lead to relaxation of restrictions on occupied enclaves.
This was the first official visit to Egypt by an Israeli leader in ten years. The two leaders held talks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and bilateral relations.
Bennett, the leader of the far-right Yamina Party, who took office in June, Meeting with the President of Egypt On Monday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in the southern Sinai Peninsula.
The talks took place after several days of low-intensity artillery and rockets between Israel and Gaza.
According to the Egyptian President’s statement, the focus of the talks is Egypt’s efforts to maintain calm in the occupied Palestinian territory and the importance of international support for reconstruction efforts there.
Ramallah’s political analyst Ismat Mansour told Al Jazeera that the two sides may focus on easing the recent escalation of conflict between Israeli and Palestinian armed groups.
Mansour said: “I think we will soon be able to feel the improvement in the overall situation on the ground-they will focus on preventing another escalation in Gaza and maintaining calm there.”
“It is not in the interests of Israel, Hamas and Egypt to engage in confrontation now. Hamas wants to improve the local living conditions,” he added.
Analyst Mohammad Daraghmeh agreed, saying that they are likely to also discuss the 14-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, indicating that there may be improvements.
“I believe that Israel’s views on the blockade of Gaza are changing. [Foreign Minister Yahir] Lapid’s plan-he called for “economic in exchange for security”-indicates that measures may be taken to lift the blockade of Gaza. This will be based on:’You do not attack us, we do not attack you,'” Daraghmeh told Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
“Historically, when Israel takes further punitive measures against the Gaza Strip, Hamas will launch rockets. Therefore, lifting the blockade may be more peaceful.”
Two analysts said that the meeting may also include discussions on a potential prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas, but there are delays and there are no clear signs of positive progress.
‘friendly’
With the help of Egypt, Israel has been tightly sealing Gaza since the Palestinian organization Hamas began to rule the area in 2007. Israel has waged four wars or attacks on Gaza, the most recent of which was in May.
In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. Relations have been cold for years, but Egypt has played a key role in mediating the ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian groups in Gaza.
Cairo’s mediation efforts during the 11-day attack on the Gaza Strip in May led to a ceasefire. The conflict resulted in the deaths of more than 260 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
Because of the new U.S. government Concern for human rightsMansour stated that Egypt is “using its relationship with Israel as a door to improve its status with the United States.”
Peace talks
The head of the Egyptian Intelligence Directorate, Abbas Kamel, met with Bennett in occupied East Jerusalem last month and extended an invitation to the Israeli prime minister.
The peace talks between Israel and Palestine broke down in 2014, and the hope of restoring peace seems slim. Bennett is a nationalist with a cross-party coalition and opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Dalagueme said: “I don’t think Egypt’s efforts to promote the peace process between the Palestinian Authority and Israel will make any real progress at this meeting.”
“This is purely because Israel does not have a government that will accept the minimum requirements of the Palestinians.”
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