High-level talks between Israel, US largely focus on Gaza, peace process

[Jefferson23]

Israeli and US representatives held high-level talks in Washington on Thursday night, as part of the semi-annual series of US-Israel meetings dubbed 'Strategic Dialogue.'

The US-Israel discussions, headed by Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, centered on a host of hot-button issues – from the changes engulfing the Middle East, to the ever-expanding threat of Islamic State, to joining forces against regional terrorism.

The US State Department emphasized the importance of reaching a lasting agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, following the latest round of armed conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The parties discussed the recent seven-week conflict in the coastal territory and the urgent need to achieve durable peace and a permanent halt to the fighting. Representatives of both sides have agreed to take action to rehabilitate and provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, a statement by the State Department said, while at the same time pushing to strengthen the Palestinian Authority.

http://www.jpost.com/International/High-level-talks-in-Washington-center-on-Gaza-peace-process-375171

[Jefferson23]

1. Deal Reached on Gaza Reconstruction, Palestinian Leader Says

JERUSALEM — President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority said Thursday night that he had reached an agreement with Israel and the United Nations to allow imports of reconstruction materials into the Gaza Strip, apparently bypassing Hamas to fulfill a key tenet of the cease-fire agreement that halted hostilities on Aug. 26.

A United Nations diplomat confirmed that the deal was due to be finalized and announced on Friday. Mr. Abbas did not provide specifics about when the imports might begin, how much would be allowed or who would control the process. Neither the Israeli prime minister nor the Israeli agency responsible for coordinating activities in Gaza returned telephone calls.


But at an evening meeting of the Palestinian leadership, Mr. Abbas said that a former minister and a United Nations representative had “signed an agreement which allows the entry of all materials to Gaza and the exporting of what’s possible to export from Gaza abroad, which will alleviate the living burdens on the people.” The comments were broadcast on television.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/world/middleeast/gaza-reconstruction-israel-abbas.html