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After understandings with Hamas, Israel pushes for comprehensive cease-fire

Israel warns Hamas that in order for the temporary cease-fire to be implemented, balloon terror from the Gaza Strip must stop.

An Israeli farmer uses a tractor in an attempt to extinguish a fire in a wheat field near the Kibbutz Nahal Oz, along the border with the Gaza Strip, on May 15, 2019 after it was caused by inflammable material attached to helium balloon flown by Palestinian protesters from across the border. - Palestinians are marking the 1948 Nakba, or "catastrophe", which left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war accompanying the birth of the Jewish state. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)        (Phot
An Israeli farmer uses a tractor in an attempt to extinguish a fire in a wheat field near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, along the border with the Gaza Strip, after it was caused by inflammable material attached to a helium balloon flown by Palestinian protesters from across the border, May 15, 2019. — MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israel and Hamas reached Aug. 31 understandings for de-escalating tensions. Qatari envoy to the region Mohammed al-Emadi mediated the talks, under the auspices of Egypt and the United Nations. The news about the agreement came first from Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar. Israel did not explicitly confirm the agreement, but tacitly acknowledged it by promising to reopen the Gaza crossing point for commercial goods and the fishing zone if calm was maintained.

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that following consultations with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, it was decided to reopen Sept. 1 the commercial Kerem Shalom crossing point into the Gaza Strip. Thus, goods and also fuel will be allowed to be transferred into Gaza. The COGAT office also announced that the Gaza fishing zone, which was limited to 8 nautical miles, would be increased again to 15 miles.

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