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Israel Nears Decision on Gaza Ceasefire

Cabinet may approve unilateral move at meeting tomorrow

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2009 2:24 PM CST
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(Newser) – Israel’s security cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss, and likely approve, a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reports. The move comes after negotiations in Egypt and the signing of an agreement with the US designed to halt smuggling of arms into Gaza. The ceasefire does not include Hamas as a direct party, as Israel does not want to legitimize the group.

The duration of the ceasefire was an issue; Hamas had wanted it to last only a year before walking out on negotiations. Since then, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, Israel has worked “over Hamas’s head.” Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was blunter. “We do not make agreements with terror but find effective arrangements against it.”

Israeli soldiers celebrate as they return from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli soldiers celebrate as they return from the Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo)
Israeli armored vehicles drive near Atatra inside the Gaza strip.
Israeli armored vehicles drive near Atatra inside the Gaza strip.   (AP Photo)
A Palestinian fire fighter tries to put out a fire at the United Nations headquarters.
A Palestinian fire fighter tries to put out a fire at the United Nations headquarters.   (AP Photo)
Flares and smoke are seen in front of a mosque in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli army operation.
Flares and smoke are seen in front of a mosque in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli army operation.   (AP Photo)
Members of a Palestinian family walk next to Israeli police officers during minor clashes with Palestinian demonstrators, in east Jerusalem.
Members of a Palestinian family walk next to Israeli police officers during minor clashes with Palestinian demonstrators, in east Jerusalem.   (AP Photo)
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Ceasefire may be close, but fighting rages on
Times (UK)

Israel-US deal bodes well for ceasefire
MSNBC

Gaza war shines light on differences in Arab world
Bloomberg

 
Israel • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Palestine • Hamas • Tzipi Livni • Egypt • Ehud Barak • ceasefire

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