Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 15, 2009 Tevet 19, 5769 | | Israel Time: 15:54 (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
Last update - 16:58 14/01/2009
Israel defense officials back immediate Gaza cease-fire
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent

Advertisement
The officials expressed reservations about launching the third phase of Operation Cast Lead, preferring for it to remain a threat at this stage.

They added that it is better to cease the offensive now, just several days before the inauguration of new U.S. President Barack Obama.

Israel has proven, the officials said, that it is no longer deterred from either launching such an operation, from a confrontation with Hamas, from deploying ground forces or from using its reservists.

Some of the officials said that Israel can withdraw from Gaza even before Egypt deals with the issue of arms smuggling into Gaza from underground tunnels, as long as Israel threatens to respond swiftly and harshly to any Hamas truce violations.

In contrast to similar discussions from last week, there is a significant decrease in support among top defense brass for an expansion of the operation.

Among the minority who support broadening the Gaza operation are members of GOC Southern Command, who feel it should take place on the condition it be limited to several months' time, and the Shin Bet security service, which thinks a continuation would further weaken Hamas and bring Israel more favorable truce conditions.


Related articles:
  • Olmert aides blast Barak for comments backing Gaza truce
  • IDF paratroopers kill Palestinian suicide bomber in north Gaza
  • U.S.: Olmert never asked us to abstain from UN vote on Gaza truce
  • Nine human rights groups unite to call for emergency relief for Gaza
  • Diplomats: Gaza op causing long-term harm to Israel's image
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Following Chavez
    Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, says it seeks war crimes charges.
    Who needs the Knesset?
    Arab parties: We'll establish an alternative Arab parliament.
      1.   GREAT VICTORY 14:46  |  New Yorka 14/01/09
      2.   I count 2 Israeli act of`aggression` in less than a week 14:49  |  Dan 14/01/09
      3.   gaza 14:50  |  allan 14/01/09
      4.   Well, it`s over then..... 15:00  |  Johnboy 14/01/09
      5.   Cease fire now 15:03  |  Eldar 14/01/09
      6.   Thank you IDF 15:11  |  Eduardo 14/01/09
      7.   Israel has lost, AGAIN!!!! 15:15  |  Goldenstein 14/01/09
      8.   In Gaza this will be viewed as victory 15:16  |  Murray of Montreal 14/01/09
      9.   Use the Ban Ki-Moon visit for diplomatic "cover" 15:16  |  idf_sergeant 14/01/09
      10.   Gaza truce 15:18  |  Ben-Ciro 14/01/09
      11.   New Yorka #1 15:20  |  Mickey 14/01/09
      12.   are they stupid? 15:21  |  Jon 14/01/09
      13.   No more rockets and free Gilad 15:35  |  Daniel 14/01/09
      14.   Barak, Livni, petty politicians 15:38  |  David 14/01/09
      15.   #1 New yorka 15:38  |  Daniel 14/01/09
      16.   Hamas will claim victory over the best army in the world 15:39  |  Flying Dutchman 14/01/09
      17.   Israel doesn`t respond swiftly and harshly to any Hebanon violati 15:41  |  Joseph.E 14/01/09
      18.   Exactly 15:42  |  bibo 14/01/09
      19.   We are ridiculous 16:18  |  Dan 14/01/09
      20.   MINISTRY OF ATTACK IS WORRIED 16:20  |  Neutered Observer 14/01/09
      21.   Here we go AGAIN with the premature ending of a unfinished war. 16:23  |  Jew 14/01/09
      22.   greath victory 16:29  |  cesare 14/01/09
      23.   Isn`t anything secret anymore? 16:33  |  Harry 14/01/09
      24.   alan - great question 16:37  |  imad 14/01/09
      25.   Guilad 16:38  |  Guy 14/01/09
      26.   Are you Crazy? 16:45  |  JH 14/01/09
      27.   To New Yorka (#1) 16:45  |  flyingdoc57 14/01/09
      28.   Best not to dig a deeper hole. Pull out now. 17:20  |  Stephen L 14/01/09
      29.   Mickey #11 17:22  |  Moly 14/01/09
      30.   #21 Jew 17:31  |  Micheal 14/01/09
      31.   Your decision, your honour 17:32  |  Sandman 14/01/09
      32.   Daniel - DC 18:07  |  Simon 14/01/09
      33.   Take out Hamas root and branch 18:09  |  utagawa 14/01/09
      34.   What Next? 18:13  |  American 14/01/09
      35.   to daniel 15. Daniel, please, ... 18:40  |  bloub 14/01/09
      36.   #21 18:42  |  Yarom 14/01/09
      37.   To Dan(No.2) 18:50  |  George B 14/01/09
      38.   I misspelled" accept "Israel in my last post, 18:53  |  Susanna/Shoshana 14/01/09
      39.   Moly#29 19:01  |  Mickey 14/01/09
      40.   new yorka 19:02  |  alan 14/01/09
      41.   Since you are the strongest! 19:29  |  Eco 14/01/09
      42.   Allan, Imad & Cesare 19:33  |  Mickey 14/01/09
      43.   Israel won 20:04  |  Jordan 14/01/09
      44.   humour from "Caste Lead" ? 20:13  |  flimflam 14/01/09
      45.   Defense Officials Are Not Very Smart 22:44  |  Tod Zuckerman 14/01/09
      46.   Victory? 01:02  |  Joseph 15/01/09
      47.   Reply to #20 50% were women and children? 01:07  |  Danny 15/01/09
      48.   Comment on #21 01:12  |  Joseph 15/01/09
      49.   #11, 15, 27 01:43  |  New Yorka 15/01/09
     Read & React
    Bradley Burston: In Gaza's shadow: Obama's Inaugural message
    Responses: 1
    Harel & Issacharoff: Egypt's Gaza truce plan is mostly bad for Hamas
    Responses: 48
    U.S., Israel near deal aimed at halting Gaza arms smuggling
    Responses: 19
    Gideon Levy: The IDF has no mercy for the children in Gaza nursery schools
    Responses: 50
    U.S. may cut $1billion in loan guarantees to Israel over West Bank settlements
    Responses: 15


    More Headlines
    15:38 Hospital, UN facility hit in Hamas-IDF fighting in Gaza City
    14:21 UN Chief: Success of Gaza truce deal depends on Israel's will
    15:04 Israeli charged with attempting to spy on behalf of Iran
    15:00 Livni urges Red Cross to press Hamas for access to Gilad Shalit
    13:37 U.S., Israel near deal aimed at halting Gaza arms smuggling
    12:23 ANALYSIS / Key to Israeli exit from Gaza rests with Egypt, U.S.
    14:58 Hamas agrees in principle to Egypt offer for Gaza truce
    12:22 ANALYSIS / Egypt's Gaza truce plan is mostly bad for Hamas
    13:47 WATCH / Obama: We must engage Syria and Iran in Middle East peace efforts
    15:02 Gaza militants fire 22 rockets at Israel, one hitting Gedera
    12:00 Israelis receive SMS messages apparently from Hamas warning of `surprises` in Gaza
    15:17 Unsung Israeli hero risks his life to save Gaza children
    13:04 U.S. may cut $1 billion in loan guarantees to Israel over West Bank settlements
    14:26 Protesters against Gaza op heckle Israeli ambassador at Holocaust ceremony in Poland
    12:01 Poll shows most Israelis back IDF action in Gaza
    13:46 Israel Foreign Ministry preparing for 'day after' IDF leaves Gaza
    12:17 Venezuela: We cut ties with Israel over 'persecution of Palestinians'
    14:47 The IDF has no mercy for the children in Gaza nursery schools
    08:27 False rumors of Shalit release do not faze family and friends
    09:25 Pro-Gaza demonstration in Ramallah canceled for a lack of protesters
    09:36 Israeli Arab singer urged to step down from Eurovision, so as not to present 'false image' of coexistence
    08:45 IDF helping coordinate aid for civilians in Gaza Strip
    05:46 Operation Cast Lead taking toll on Israeli businesses overseas
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    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.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    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 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
    asure V4 - CGI v1.1 Revision: 1.6 -->