Ferocity of Israeli Attacks Surprises West

Cabinet may approve unilateral move at meeting tomorrow

(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. More»

Israeli leaders torn over next step

(NEWSER) - “The elements of an agreement” for a ceasefire in Gaza are in place, Mideast envoy Tony Blair said today amid negotiations in Cairo including representatives of Israel and Hamas. But in Jerusalem, Israeli leaders were weighing an escalation, the Washington Post reports. PM Ehud Olmert is pushing for a “third-phase” attack, while other ministers say Israel should cut its losses while they’re relatively low. More»

(NEWSER) - Israel continues to press its assault and Hamas continues to fire its rockets, but a sliver of hope emerged tonight toward an end to the Gaza hostilities, MSNBC reports. Representatives from Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority will meet—probably separately—with Egyptian officials in Cairo tomorrow to discuss a possible truce. Twelve days of fighting have left 688 Palestinians and 10 Israelis dead. More»

(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. More»

Zawahiri mocks him as a potential 'savior'

(NEWSER) - Al-Qaeda's No. 2 leader called the Israeli invasion of Gaza a "gift from Obama" and urged Muslims to take revenge against Israel, CNN reports. In an audio message posted on extremist websites, Ayman al-Zawahiri said that Barack Obama was portrayed as "the savior who will come and change American policy" but that instead he is now "killing your brothers and sisters in Gaza without mercy or even pity." More»