Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Israel Weighs Truce Proposal

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2009 8:37 PM CST

(Newser) – Israel and Hamas are considering a new truce proposal floated by Egypt and France, Reuters reports. Few details emerged, but the US supports the plan, as does Europe. The development comes on the deadliest day yet of the conflict, after an Israeli missile struck a UN school and killed at least 42. In the meantime, Israel has offered to halt shelling in certain areas for limited times so residents can receive supplies, the BBC notes.

The proposed truce would reportedly bring together Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority for negotiations. Condoleezza Rice backed it, but she said a permanent agreement must involve Hamas ceasing its rocket attacks on Israel. As peace hopes were raised, defense officials in Israel said they were prepared to expand their ground offensive, the Jerusalem Post notes.

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousssa listens to speakers during a Security Council meeting about the situation in Gaza at United Nations Headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice listens to speakers during a Security Council meeting about the situation in Gaza at United Nations Headquarters, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Demonstrators hold up shoes during a protest in front of the Israel's embassy in Quito, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Smoke caused by explosions from Israeli forces' operations rises from buildings on the outskirts of Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photos/Hatem Moussa)

Israeli soldiers attend the funeral of Staff Sgt. Nitai Stern, 21, who died in an operation in the Gaza Strip Monday. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We need urgently to conclude a ceasefire that can endure and that can bring real security." - Condoleezza Rice, to the Security Council

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Israel Frees Another 550 Palestinians

Release follows clash at internment compound

(NEWSER) - Israel has set free another 550 Palestinian prisoners, completing the deal that secured the release of captured soldier Gilad Shalit . Thousands gathered at the former home of Yasser Arafat to celebrate alongside Palestinian officials. Most prisoners were directed to the West Bank; some 41 were sent to Gaza, and a handful were released to east Jerusalem and Jordan. The International Red Cross assisted in the operation, Israel said. The process, however, didn't go entirely smoothly, CNN reports. More»

Panetta to Israel: 'Just Get to the Damn Table'

Defense Secretary says military action should be 'last resort, not the first'

(NEWSER) - Leon Panetta delivered a harsh rebuke to Israel yesterday, saying that it needed to take steps to end its increasing isolation in the Middle East—starting with reviving peace talks with the Palestinians. “Just get to the damn table,” Panetta said at a pro-Israel forum in Washington, according to Reuters . “The problem right now is we can’t get ‘em to the damn table, to at least sit down and begin to discuss their differences.” More»

Israel Punishing Palestinians With Rushed Settlements

Funds also frozen after Palestine's UNESCO membership

(NEWSER) - Palestine's membership in UNESCO has met a fierce response from Israel. A day after Palestine joined the United Nations' cultural body , Israel ordered the accelerated construction of 2,000 new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In what officials acknowledge is punishment for "unilateral actions," Israel has also temporarily frozen funds that it has collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, Voice of America reports. More»

Saudi Royal Offers $900K for Capture of Israeli Soldier

Prince brings cleric's bounty to $1M

(NEWSER) - Israel's freeing of a thousand Palestinian prisoners in return for one captured soldier must have sounded like a pretty good deal to Prince Khaled bin Talal. The Saudi royal, brother of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has added $900,000 to a prominent Saudi cleric's offer of $100,000 to anybody who captures an Israeli soldier, Reuters reports. More»

Gilad Shalit Healing After Isolation: Dad

Noam Shalit 'understands price we are paying' for release

(NEWSER) - Israel soldier Gilad Shalit is home and “happy,” but he’s still recovering from five years’ imprisonment, his father says. “In isolation,” Gilad “had no connection with his people, with his own language,” Noam Shalit told members of the media, including the Jerusalem Post . Lack of sunlight and mistreatment in captivity have contributed to health problems, Shalit said, though he noted that prison conditions improved over the years. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website