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Last update - 13:45 30/12/2008 France, Britain look to impose cease-fire in bid to halt Gaza operation By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Hamas, Gaza  France and Great Britain will present a proposal on Tuesday aimed at forcing a cease-fire on Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A senior government source in Jerusalem said the initiative would be presented at a emergency session of the European Union's foreign ministers in Paris. Foreign Ministry sources in Jerusalem said on Monday that the "international hourglass" would allow Israel to continue its operation in the Gaza Strip, at most, until January 5. Advertisement A source said Britain is pushing to pressure Israel, among other things, by releasing a statement by the 27 foreign ministers of the European Union that will call on Israel to stop the operation. The British are promoting a very bad proposal for Israel," a Foreign Ministry source said. French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke Monday and Sunday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to move ahead on a cease-fire. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a similar round of calls. Brown and Sarkozy asked for Egypt's help in restoring the cease-fire. According to the information Jerusalem has, the British and the French seem interested in Egypt or the Arab League leading talks with Hamas. The British and French foreign ministers also brought up the matter on Monday with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who reportedly expressed her support. The British-French initiative apparently consists of a number of clauses, starting with a humanitarian cease-fire of 48 hours Later, attempts will be made to restart the cease-fire on a long-term basis. The agreement also includes sending immediate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and a review of the possibility of reopening the Rafah crossing by means of updating the 2005 agreement, once again under EU supervision. "All hostile acts in Gaza must stop at once," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement. According to Kouchner, Hamas is the party that broke the cease-fire first when it began to fire rockets at Israel but that "renewed calm will ensure basic conditions for life among the residents of Gaza." His British counterpart, David Miliband, called Monday for "an urgent cease-fire and immediate halt to all violence." In contrast to Kouchner and Miliband, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on Tuesday said Hamas were responsible for the escalation in Gaza. Frattini further maintained that Israel acted in self defense, and had a right to do so. Foreign Ministry Director General Aaron Abramovich held a series of meetings on Monday to assess how much longer the Israel Defense Forces could operate in Gaza before heavy international pressure began. The Foreign Ministry believes that Israel has until January 5, which marks the end of the holiday vacation in Europe and the United States. The Foreign Ministry says that serious civilian casualties would lessen international legitimization for Israel's operation. However, senior officials close to Olmert said the government's directives to the IDF had not changed. "Everything is going exactly according to plan," sources in Olmert's bureau said, adding that they knew it would not be a quick and easy operation. "For now, we have the understanding of the international community." Related articles: Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel Navy fired on protest boat off Gaza shore David Grossman / Is Israel too imprisoned in the familiar ceremony of war? UN official says Israel responsible for breaking truce with Gaza Uncertainty and bombing keep Gazans awake and fearful of who will be next Amos Oz: Hamas responsible for outbreak of Gaza violence Gaza hospitals 'overwhelmed' by wounded from IDF strikes No rest for the shell-shocked in Ashkelon shelters Chicago synagogue firebombed; police probe possible link to Gaza violence ANALYSIS / Israel's operation in Gaza is entering its problematic phase IN PICTURES / Firestorm over Gaza WATCH: Israel's attack on Gaza from the missiles' viewpoint Bookmark to del.icio.us   Iranian Jews protest Members of Tehran's small Jewish community demonstrate against IDF operation in Gaza. Missile's view Watch Israel's attack on Gaza from the perspective of the missile.   1.   GB ready to pull a fast one on Israel like she did in 38 on Chech 03:04  |  Absolute Sweden 30/12/08   2.   who cares what europe thinks 03:09  |  ejf 30/12/08   3.   Understanding of the international comunity? 03:24  |  Steve J 30/12/08   4.   Who? 04:14  |  Sliv the Eli 30/12/08   5.   Israeli government should show some guts 04:18  |  Bob 30/12/08   6.   MYOB EU 04:19  |  Daniel 30/12/08   7.   Steve J. - Hamas should be domesticated 04:20  |  17 30/12/08   8.   The operation may be stopped temporarily 04:26  |  17 30/12/08   9.   EU should have pressed those who caused the operation instead... 05:58  |  Elie 30/12/08   10.   Britain should butt out. Ignore them 06:42  |  Liliane 30/12/08   11.   France always meddling. Sarkozy does not care about Israel 06:44  |  Arlette 30/12/08   12.   no demadn from EU last week? 06:45  |  vik 30/12/08   13.   How Can The EU "Force" A Cease-Fire? 07:44  |  Jeff Northridge 30/12/08   14.   Let it go until it Hamas fails 08:27  |  Kate 30/12/08   15.   Intelligence and the Israeli operation. 09:16  |  Mike Reising 30/12/08   16.   EU & UN are CORRUPT with ARAB OIL MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 09:17  |  Julie 30/12/08   17.   You may have the european leadership on your side for the moment 09:53  |  Kris Lazar 30/12/08   18.   Here we go again, just like Lebanon 2006 10:07  |  SDHD 30/12/08   19.   #13 Jeff Northridge 10:55  |  Chris Linthwaite 30/12/08   20.   #15 Mike 10:55  |  alan 30/12/08   21.   Ignore EU colonial relics: no authority, no power, no credibility 11:06  |  Dr. L. Brnd 30/12/08   22.   Eu did this in Lebanon 2006 11:12  |  lady from USA 30/12/08   23.   ejf 11:14  |  lady from USA 30/12/08   24.   Send them another missile 11:23  |  thinking clearly 30/12/08   25.   Chris Linthwaite#18 12:03  |  Ehud 30/12/08   26.   Chris Linthwaite-however i f Israel agrees to ceasefire: 12:09  |  sharon 30/12/08   27.   Israel should finally tell the EU to mind its business... We are 12:31  |  BF 30/12/08   28.   Yes Julie 12:33  |  Yes Julie 30/12/08   29.   Like Lebanon 12:36  |  Jane 30/12/08   30.   EU condemnation & Gaza, & 2 SDHD SD, CA. 12:45  |  Mike Reising 30/12/08   31.   Ha! Ceasefire! 12:53  |  Mike Reising 30/12/08   32.   Where were the EU demands when Israel was under 12:58  |  George 30/12/08   33.   #25 Ehud of TA 14:17  |  Chris Linthwaite 30/12/08   34.   #26 Sharon of Israel 14:23  |  Chris Linthwaite 30/12/08   35.   They caused the problem in the first place 14:26  |  Jackie 30/12/08   36.   EU opinion #lazar 17 14:27  |  dr mostrel daniel 30/12/08   37.   WHAT`S BEHIND IT ALL? 14:32  |  Brant 30/12/08   38.   Eu should erradicate anti-semitism in their countries 21:37  |  Vision 30/12/08   39.   US should talk to Mubarak instead of Abbas 21:49  |  Talk to Egypt 30/12/08

Read & React Gideon Levy: Are Israel's pilots callous and blind to Gaza's suffering? Responses: 86 Iran Jews stage pro-Palestinian rally near UN offices in Tehran Responses: 69 Israel rejects French proposal for 48-hour Gaza truce Responses: 46 Gaza rocket strikes school in Be'er Sheva Responses: 57 ANALYSIS / Hamas winning battle of public opinion in Arab world Responses: 27 ANALYSIS / Rivalry among Israel's leaders at root of row on Gaza cease-fire Responses: 13 More Headlines 13:41 Gaza rocket barrage hits Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva 10:44 Israel rejects French proposal for 48-hour Gaza truce 13:36 Air strikes in Gaza continue as IDF readies for ground push 13:27 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 13:24 Shin Bet: Hamas has been hit under IAF's Gaza offensive like never before 12:05 ANALYSIS / Rivalry among Israel's leaders at root of row on Gaza cease-fire 13:24 GIDEON LEVY / The IAF, bullies of the clear blue skies 10:29 ANALYSIS / After sterling start to Gaza op, Barak proves to be a petty politician 13:38 As rockets fall, Peres tours Ashkelon and vows IDF is ready for anything 12:13 Iran tells Arab League: The time has come to act over Gaza attacks 03:57 Hundreds across U.S. protest Gaza operation 00:11 Ex-U.S. Army engineer Kadish pleads guilty to spying for Israel 09:26 ANALYSIS / Hamas racks up its first diplomatic victory in Gaza campaign 04:33 Fatah loyalists: Gaza op is 'Allah's revenge' for Hamas actions 02:09 Throngs at Ashdod funeral mark 'war against Israeli normalcy' 02:17 Mayor of rocket-battered Netivot calls for talks with Hamas 06:36 Eichmann trial transcripts now available on Justice Ministry Web site Previous Editions Select Day 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec

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