Egypt is discussing with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel means to avoid a further deterioration in the situation in the West Bank following violent clashes, informed Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The sources confirmed that an Egyptian delegation visited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday at his headquarters in Ramallah and discussed the need to hold onto the achievements that have been so far made by the Palestinians in the peace process. The delegation also asserted that the achievements could be consolidated through full reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, which will put an end to inter-Palestinian division and prevent Israel from isolating the West Bank or the Gaza Strip. Egypt wants to maintain stability in the West Bank similar to Gaza, and aims to complete the reconciliation which brings power back to the enclave and helps launch a peace process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state, asserted the sources. Abbas received a delegation from the Egyptian intelligence service conveying a message from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the head of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Abbas Kamel. The delegation stressed that Cairo was willing to exert all efforts to support stability in the Palestinian territories. They called for swift action and coordination between Cairo and Palestine to maintain the security and stability of the region. Abbas thanked the delegation, Sisi and Kamel for all their efforts and support for the Palestinian people and their leadership. The Egyptian attempts came at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent messages to Abbas as well as Hamas regarding the escalation in the West Bank. A senior Israeli official said Netanyahu conveyed a message through Egyptian intermediaries that Israel will not be willing to accept a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if Hamas is simultaneously orchestrating attacks in the West Bank. Netanyahu also sent a message to Abbas demanding that the PA security forces take steps to prevent escalation over the Green Line, a senior official said.