Fearing a possible flare-up in the Gaza Strip, Egypt is involved in intense efforts to release Palestinian prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash, who has been on a hunger strike in protest of his detention by Israel for 141 days, according to Palestinian media.
Sources told the Al-Quds Palestinian daily that senior Egyptian intelligence officials are involved in the talks. According to the paper, Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been engaging the officials, as well.
Al-Quds also quoted the sources saying that Egypt fears Hawash’s detention might lead to a renewal of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and that this would derail their efforts to achieve a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, the ruling power in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian Authority spokesman Ibrahim Al-Melhem confirmed talks are underway, but did not specify who were the parties involved.
This report first appeared in Israel Hayom.