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WORLD NEWS Friday 29 March 2019

Egyptian cease-fire mediators shuttle between Israel, Gaza

By MOHAMMED DARAGH- standings, then Saturday's
MEH march would be peaceful."
ILAN BEN ZION Three Hamas officials fa-
Associated Press miliar with the negotiations
JERUSALEM (AP) — Egyp- said the Egyptians were of-
tian mediators pressed fering the organization a
ahead Thursday with ef- series of measures to ease
forts to broker a cease-fire a crippling Egyptian-Israeli
between Gaza's Hamas rul- blockade on Gaza. In ex-
ers and Israel, even as the change, Hamas would
sides braced for the possi- have to pledge to halt
bility of renewed violence rocket fire and keep bor-
this weekend. der protests under control
As negotiations continued, and far from the separation
Hamas was making prepa- fence.
rations for a mass demon- The officials say the deal
stration along the Israeli would only take effect af-
border on Saturday. In re- ter Saturday's demonstra-
sponse, Israel said it was tion — a likely sticking point
moving additional troops with the Israelis.
to the area. They said the Israeli ges-
The Egyptian team met tures would include an ex-
with Hamas officials, then Palestinians search for their family's belongings amid the rubble of destroyed building near a panded fishing zone for
Hamas security building that was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike late Monday, in Gaza City,
went to Israel before re- Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Palestinian anglers off the
turning back to Gaza late Associated Press Mediterranean coast, in-
Thursday for more meet- creasing imports and ex-
ings. The Egyptians did not Hamas official, said that if year anniversary of the implemented, would make ports in and out of Gaza,
comment as talks wrapped there is progress, Hamas weekly gatherings, is ex- our people in Gaza feel a increased electricity from
up and they returned to would scale back Satur- pected to be exceptionally significant relief," Radwan Israel and increased move-
their hotel. day's demonstration. The large. said. He said if Israel "was ment of people through
Ismail Radwan, a top protest, marking the one- "The new understanding, if committed to the under- Gaza's border crossings.q

Pope explains reluctant ring kiss: Fear of spreading germs

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope viral, with conservative crit- The tradition of kissing the
Francis has set the record ics blasting what they said ring of a bishop or pope
straight about why he was Francis' "graceless" goes back centuries, as a
pulled his hand away when disrespect for the tradition sign of respect and obedi-
throngs of people lined up and the faithful who want- ence.
this week to kiss his ring: for ed to honor it. Gisotti noted that Francis
fear of spreading germs. Gisotti said Thursday he is more than happy to re-
Vatican spokesman Ales- had just spoken to the ceive the ring-kiss in small
sandro Gisotti said Thursday pope about it, and Francis groups, where the spread
that Francis was concerned replied that it was nothing of germs is more contained,
about hygiene when, after of the sort. as he did Wednesday
greeting dozens of well- "The Holy Father told me when a handful of people
wishers in a lengthy receiv- that the motivation was were lined up at the end
ing line Monday in Loreto, very simple: hygiene," Gi- of his general audience to
he began pulling his hand sotti told reporters. "He greet him.
away to discourage peo- wants to avoid the risk of Several bent down to kiss Pope Francis leaves at the end of his weekly general audience,
ple from kissing his ring. contagion for the people, his ring, and Francis pa- in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2019.
Video of the incident went not for him." tiently allowed it.q Associated Press