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Israel Rejects Ceasefire

Call it 'unrealistic'

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2008 6:48 AM CST
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(Newser) – Israel today rejected a 48-hour humanitarian truce designed to allow foreign aid into Gaza, CNN reports. Israeli officials said the deal, proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, didn’t come with any assurances that Hamas would honor it. “The residents of the south of Israel must have a real and sustainable solution and not a Band-Aid,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.

Hamas, too, scoffed at the truce proposal, which it said “put the executioner and victim on equal footing.” More than 150 relief trucks were allowed into Gaza yesterday, but the situation remains dire, the UN’s relief commissioner said. “There's no fuel, there's no power plant, there's no electricity working now.” Hospitals have been depleted and “stretched to the maximum,” according to the Red Cross.

Palestinians examine damage at the office of Hamas' deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, following Israeli missile strikes in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
Palestinians examine damage at the office of Hamas' deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, following Israeli missile strikes in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
A Palestinian inspects damage at the Hamas Interior Ministry building, following Israeli missile strikes in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
A Palestinian inspects damage at the Hamas Interior Ministry building, following Israeli missile strikes in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
An Israeli soldier is seen at a staging area near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
An Israeli soldier is seen at a staging area near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Newser001
Dec 30, 2008 11:55 PM CST
due NOT do: '...Israel used passive means for a very long period, closing entry points, both in and out of Gaza, due to missile violations.' - Apologies
Newser001
Dec 30, 2008 11:03 PM CST
Well, that's great... both sides scoffed at the thought. Of primary concern, if Hamas isn't interested, what's the point of halting the incursions - it didn't stop its actions upon Israel; they taunted and invited these actions. All must consider, Israel used passive means for a very long period, closing entry points, both in and out of Gaza, do to missile violations. There is a point upon which enough is enough. Hamas will continue to put their people at risk, and Israel will continue to defend herself. The missiles have to STOP, trust regained, and the crossings then can be opened. Land invasion by Israel looks quite likely, into Gaza, and it appears, that's exactly what Hamas wanted. Again, let me reiterate, the PNA is the ONLY government of the Palestine people. Hamas highjacked the government, by force. Face it, as far as peace between Gaza and Israel - you're not going to get something for nothing. Hamas has to see the world through realistic eyes, not through distorted theocratic lenses.

Forget those rockets, it's time to laugh
Jerusalem Post (Israel)

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Haaretz (Israel)

Gazans: We are living a nightmare
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Israel • Gaza • Hamas • truce • Bernard Kouchner • ceasefire

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