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Israel Quiets Guns in Gaza

Goals achieved, PM says; Hamas rejects ceasefire and makes demands

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 17, 2009 7:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Israel ended its 3-week assault on Gaza today by enacting a unilateral ceasefire that Hamas has vowed to ignore, Reuters reports. Israeli leaders voted today to halt the offensive, which has killed nearly 1,200 people and incited strong reactions worldwide, MSNBC reports. “Goals have been achieved and even more,” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a televised address after the vote.

Israeli forces plan to occupy Gaza, but Hamas has rejected the ceasefire, calling for a complete withdrawal and reopened border crossings. Defense Minister Tzipi Livni warned that "this campaign is not a one-time event. The test will be the day after.” The news follows the signing of a “memorandum of understanding" in which Washington promised to help Israel and Egypt end arms smuggling into Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, shakes hands with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert said in a televised address that Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more." (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Israel's leaders voted to halt an offensive that has killed nearly 1,200 people and turned the streets and neighborhoods of the Gaza Strip into battlegrounds. (AP Photo/Abdalrahem Khateb)

In a show of defiance, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a speech aired on the group's TV station in Gaza that a unilateral cease-fire was not enough, calling for removing of Israeli troops. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gestures at a press conference following a meeting of the security cabinet at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Israeli soldiers stand on top of a tank at a staging area on the Israel-Gaza border, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

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Israel Quiets Guns in Gaza

Goals achieved, PM says; Hamas rejects ceasefire and makes demands

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Israel Quiets Guns in Gaza

Goals achieved, PM says; Hamas rejects ceasefire and makes demands

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Palestine • Hamas • Israel and Palestinians

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Gaza Violence Endangers Peace Talks

Bombs, rockets fly; UN decries closing of border crossings

Gaza Militants OK Israel Cease-Fire

Egypt brokers deal to stop escalating violence

Gaza Fires Rockets as Israeli Airstrikes Continue

Situation continues to escalate after deadly attacks

Israel, Hamas Reportedly Agree to Ceasefire

The deal comes after weeks of increasing violence

Gazans Blame Hamas for Economic Woes

Party shares blame with Israel for sky-high unemployment

About Us

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Newser By Users

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