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Hamas and Islamic Jihad have ordered their personnel to end attacks and violence on the Gaza border.

The decision has been made as part of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas and includes a halt to all launches of flying firebombs and incendiary balloons towards Israeli border communities, an end to explosives thrown at Israeli soldiers and an end to night time riots along the border.

In an interview with Palestinian newspaper al Istiqlal, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh confirmed that efforts to reach an arrangement with Israel are progressing well and that a prisoner swap is not out of the question.

Haniyeh said: “Understandings regarding the ceasefire and the removal of the blockade on the Strip are progressing … Yesterday we got the schedule for the implementation of many issues that are part of the arrangement. There is no reason why we can’t discuss a prisoner swap through outside mediators.” Haniyeh said that a prisoner swap is not currently being discussed.

Qatar and the UN are also supporting the negotiation process according to Haniyeh. Hamas holds the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, both killed in 2014 during Operation Protective Edge. They also have two Israeli citizens, Abera Mengistu and Hishan al-Sayed, who entered Gaza freely but are thought to suffer from mental health issues. Israel has demanded they all be returned as part of any long-term agreement with Hamas.

Earlier this week, Israel expanded the fishing zone off the coast of Gaza, agreed to ease restrictions on exported goods, improve the electricity supply and begin projects to provide temporary employment. Israel also agreed to open another power line from Israel into Gaza within six months and build a gas pipeline to the Gaza power plant within a year.