Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 04, 2009 Shvat 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:30 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
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
Comments:  31
Last update - 13:07 06/01/2009
Egypt's Mubarak to EU: Hamas must not be allowed to win in Gaza
By Barak Ravid, Avi Issacharoff and Zvi Bar'el
Tags: Gaza, Israel, Israel News 

Hamas must not be allowed to win its conflict with the IDF, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday told a delegation of European foreign ministers in a closed conversation.

The comment occurred even as Hamas, for the first time since the fighting began, sent representatives to Cairo to discuss a cease-fire. Following a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials, Hamas officials said they had received an Egyptian proposal and would consider it.


Advertisement
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday told French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was visiting Jerusalem, that Israel would not honor a cease-fire imposed by the UN Security Council without its consent. Arab states are currently pushing for a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Israel is mainly pinning its hopes on the United States and France to thwart the Arab effort in the Security Council. However, it has sent messages to several Security Council members informing them that Israel will not accept an imposed cease-fire, and especially that it will not accept any resolution that places Israel and Hamas on the same level by calling for both to cease their fire impartially.

The European foreign ministers, headed by Karel Schwarzenberg of the Czech Republic, whose country currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency, came to Jerusalem after visiting Cairo, and briefed Livni on their meeting with Mubarak. Inter alia, they reportedly told her that Mubarak had said Hamas "must not be allowed to emerge from the fighting with the upper hand."

Regarding Israel's demand that Egypt halt arms smuggling from its territory into Gaza as part of any cease-fire agreement, the ministers said Mubarak denied that any such smuggling takes place. He insisted that the weapons arrive not via tunnels from Sinai, but in barrels thrown overboard from ships passing near Gaza's coast.

The ministers told Livni it is imperative to achieve a cease-fire as soon as possible, so as to enable peace talks between Israel and the PA to resume. They also asked for Israel's aid in sending humanitarian assistance into Gaza, to which Livni agreed.

On another issue, Israel asked France to press the Red Cross to arrange to visit kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who is held by Hamas in Gaza. Shalit holds dual French-Israeli citizenship. Sarkozy will apparently raise this issue with Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has influence with Hamas' Damascus-based political wing, when he meets him today in Damascus.

Livni also told the European foreign ministers that Israel "would not be able to ignore the Shalit issue in the framework of any cease-fire."

The Egyptian cease-fire proposal would require Israel to end its military operation and withdraw from Gaza, while Hamas would have to end rocket fire into Israel. The border crossings into Gaza would reopen, but PA officials would be stationed at the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

In addition, Egypt is demanding that Hamas resume reconciliation talks with Fatah.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas' political wing, told Reuters that Hamas was open to a truce, but said taht any proposal must guarantee an Israeli withdrawal and an end to the blockade of Gaza.

"Any initiative not based on ending the aggression, opening the border crossings and an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip has no chance of succeeding," he said.

Meanwhile, Turkish Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin charged in Antalya on Saturday that "Israel is the world's greatest terrorist provocateur. The war on terror cannot succeed as long as Israel continues its provocations."

He was followed on Sunday by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who, during a visit to Saudi Arabia, blamed Israel for the outbreak of fighting. "Hamas observed the truce for six months, but Israel did not honor the agreement to lift the embargo on Gaza," he said. "People in Gaza live in a sort of prison. Essentially, all of Palestine is a prison."

Also on Sunday, Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said Jordan was liable to reconsider its relations with Israel in light of the Gaza operation.

Related articles:
  • ANALYSIS / The price of stubbornness over Gaza exit is dead soldiers
  • ANALYSIS / Israel is on its way to reoccupying all of Gaza
  • ANALYSIS / The unspoken goal of bringing down Hamas in Gaza
  • 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  
     
    Backtracking in Gaza
    UN reverses stance on claim that deadly IDF strike hit Gaza school.
    Lieberman's nefarious ties
    Yisrael Beiteinu chair said to be ex-member of banned radical Kach movement.
      1.   Hamas, being a threat to Israel, Egypt and the rest of the ... 07:06  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 06/01/09
      2.   Barrels 07:11  |  Peter 06/01/09
      3.   I`ve praised President Mubarak before... 07:12  |  Catholic Israeli 06/01/09
      4.   finally the world is opening it`s eyes 07:26  |  joseph davidovic 06/01/09
      5.   Israel will win based on body count (as usual) 07:34  |  Natallie Durson 06/01/09
      6.   Regarding praising Mubarak 07:36  |  Marcelo 06/01/09
      7.   He is not a wise man 07:45  |  It is a shame 06/01/09
      8.   the good will have victory 07:56  |  adham 06/01/09
      9.   Hamas believes that killing Jews is a prerequisite to redemption. 07:57  |  Jean Van Daem 06/01/09
      10.   Time out for Mubarak "the SYCOPHANT" 07:58  |  Arief Contractor 06/01/09
      11.   Mabarek is hated... 08:06  |  Maureen Ann 06/01/09
      12.   in reality 08:49  |  European Fools 06/01/09
      13.   the fight against radical islam 08:49  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/01/09
      14.   The whole would including Arab nations have had.. 08:57  |  Donna 06/01/09
      15.   Thank you mr. Mubarak 09:04  |  Benjamina 06/01/09
      16.   How can Hamas win? 10:27  |  Manny Goldstein 06/01/09
      17.   How Hamas can "win" by losing 12:12  |  Zvi 06/01/09
      18.   weapons in barrels - that`s a new one 12:23  |  observer 06/01/09
      19.   Mubarak the loser 12:31  |  sam 06/01/09
      20.   look who is talking! 12:37  |  Serhan 06/01/09
      21.   "with friends like these..." 13:16  |  David Scott 06/01/09
      22.   Mubarak 13:18  |  Tina 06/01/09
      23.   Hamas is playing on FIRE 14:38  |  Tamree 06/01/09
      24.   At last somebody with his head screwed on properly! 14:50  |  Mel McManus 06/01/09
      25.   To Marcelo #6 14:59  |  Bob 06/01/09
      26.   this puts radical jews in a tough position.. 15:47  |  Rami of Nazareth 06/01/09
      27.   Th time for Mubarak to visit Israel to atone himself. 17:36  |  Akram Zekaria 06/01/09
      28.   Against the war 18:59  |  Fahmi Natour 06/01/09
      29.   for jean van daem 21:12  |  david 06/01/09
      30.   Killing Jews is not the objective! 06:36  |  Sal 07/01/09
      31.   To Fahmi - that was really refreshing to read 20:15  |  Eli 04/02/09
     Read & React
    UN backtracks on claim that deadly IDF strike hit Gaza school
    Responses: 245
    Hamas: Israel offered to let in 75% of Gaza aid in exchange for Shalit
    Responses: 70
    Barak okays new West Bank settlement in return for evacuation of illegal outpost
    Responses: 53
    Yehuda Ben Meir: Claim that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza is blood libel
    Responses: 28
    Avirama Golan: A one-state solution would only delay peace
    Responses: 9


    More Headlines
    17:06 Mubarak: Hamas to blame for spilled Arab blood
    20:06 UN: Hamas seized food and blankets from needy Gazans
    20:26 Lebanon says five rockets founds near border with Israel
    19:38 Elections 2009 / Netanyahu says he's looking to form a unity government
    20:12 S. Africa politician apologizes for saying 'Jewish money controls America'
    18:05 IDF probe confirms daughters of Gaza doctor were killed by Israeli fire
    18:40 Amira Hass / Gazans set up make shift exhibit of Israeli weapons used in Cast Lead
    18:20 Vatican: Bishop who denied the Holocaust must recant
    13:26 Report: Obama to offer Russia deal to cut nuclear arms by 80%
    15:46 World powers urge Iran to cooperate with UN over nuclear program
    13:29 Top Iranian official: Zionists brought Obama to power
    15:47 Gaza militants fire mortar shell at western Negev
    09:06 Minister Boim: Only way to stop Gaza rockets is to kill Haniyeh
    16:46 Abbas asks EU to send peacekeepers to Middle East
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    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.
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    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 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 | Site rules |
    | Makom: Engaging on 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