Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 06, 2009 Tevet 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:46 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

ANALYSIS / Will Gaza deal share fate of failed Lebanon accord? By Aluf Benn Tags: israel, gaza, hamas  Israel wants Operation Cast Lead to end in a political agreement based on a new monitoring system and the prevention of smuggling along the Egypt-Gaza border. The system would rely on an existing security committee comprising representatives from Israel, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the United States. Hamas would not be represented, nor would it be a party to understandings or agreements, though it is expected to continue to control the Gaza Strip. That is the political process being advanced by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in conjunction with the ground incursion in Gaza. The idea was discussed at the meeting during which Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni approved the ground operation, and is being handled by the Prime Minister's Bureau, together with officials from the defense and foreign ministries. The Bush administration is maintaining contact with Israel through phone calls and e-mails, and for the moment is holding off on sending even low-level envoys to the region. Advertisement The deal in the works is reminiscent of the Grapes of Wrath understanding that governed the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon after an Israel Defense Forces operation in the spring of 1996. At the time, a monitoring group consisting of Israel, Lebanon, Syria, France and the United States was established to deal with violations of the agreement, which banned firing on civilians. Hezbollah was not party to the agreement, but the assumption was that Syria would be able to influence it. In the present situation in Gaza, Israel opposes a UN Security Council decision that would force a cease-fire - as did Resolution 1701, which put an end to the Second Lebanon War. Israel doesn't want to grant Hamas legitimacy by allowing it to be a signatory to a deal, and wants the Palestinian Authority to play the role of the Lebanese government in 1996 and represent the Palestinians. If an agreement is reached, Israel will try to present the establishment of the security system as an impressive achievement that merits the danger of a major military operation. Experience, though, makes that doubtful: The security committee that includes Israel, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the United States was established several years ago and has yet to lead to anything other than excuses. Not to mention that the Grapes of Wrath agreement didn't exactly bring quiet to the north. Related articles: IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive Livni: Gaza truce would give Hamas legitimacy WATCH: Israeli ground assault in the Gaza Strip underway Gaza invasion won't be short, and it won't be easy Hamas: Gaza will become graveyard for Israeli troops Israel okays call-up tens of thousands of IDF reservists Hezbollah urges Hamas to 'kill as many Israeli soldiers as they can' during Gaza op EU presidency: Israel ground op in Gaza 'defensive not offensive' Tens of thousands rally across Europe against Israel's Gaza offensive Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haute advice Sarkozy tells Peres IDF Gaza op does not strengthen Abbas. W speaks Bush says Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks.   1.   Israel will have to deal with Hamas just like Hezbollah... 08:05  |  Michael Hess 05/01/09   2.   IF THE GAZA OPERATIONS ENDS 11:23  |  Robert 05/01/09   3.   Gaza strip will end in total defeat of Hamas!. 13:37  |  Orao Stranka. 05/01/09   4.   What became of destroying Hamas and . . . 14:12  |  Mark Lincoln 05/01/09   5.   Hamas will not be defeated. 16:17  |  Lou Medel 05/01/09   6.   Come and visit us, Lou Medel, and then go to Iran 19:33  |  Israeli citizen 05/01/09   7.   To Lou Medel 20:21  |  Oleg 05/01/09   8.   Gaza not Lebanon! 23:44  |  Removed by moderator 05/01/09

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 70 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 47 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 78 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 59 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 33 More Headlines 22:40 Israeli troops trade heavy fire with Hamas gunmen in northern Gaza 23:51 Sarkozy tells Peres: IDF Gaza operation does not strengthen Abbas 23:53 Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks 23:00 Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. anti-Israel rallies 23:52 Two Israelis wounded by Gaza mortars in western Negev 21:05 U.S. to foil any Arab bid to push Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire 23:51 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 22:30 Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel 23:51 Israel arrests newsman with Iranian TV for prematurely reporting on IDF entry into Gaza 20:19 ANALYSIS / Egypt emerges as big winner from Gaza crisis 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world 23:10 Amira Hass / For 48 hours, gunbattles kept wounded Gaza family from medical aid 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 21:42 Over 2,000 take to streets of Haifa to protest IDF Gaza operation 21:17 The Guardian publishes obituary of Hamas terror chieftain killed by IAF 18:22 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 18:21 Mauritania recalls ambassador from Israel in wake of Gaza offensive 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 21:02 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 You can make a direct IMPACT! on the life of an Israeli soldier State of Israel Bonds During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help. SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Summer Camp in Israel The best place for your children this summer Academic Studies in Israel All the Q & A at the IDC HERZLIYA Open House, January 9,2009 Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved