Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 17, 2009 Tevet 21, 5769 | | Israel Time: 19:54 (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 - 00:54 17/01/2009
Israel hopes to achieve 'durable quiet' as Gaza op winds down
By The Associated Press
Tags: Hamas, Gaza, Israel News 

Israel said Friday it hoped it was close to winding down the offensive it launched three weeks ago in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, and that it might make a decision as early as this weekend.

"I hope we are entering the end game and that our goal of sustained and durable quiet in the south [of Israel] is about to be attained," government spokesman Mark Regev said.


Advertisement
Israel embarked upon an air and ground war against Hamas militants on Dec. 27 to stop the rocket fire that has traumatized southern Israel for years. But the spiraling Palestinian death toll, which includes hundreds of civilians, has drawn international outrage and touched off intense diplomatic activity to end the violence.

Israel wants Hamas to halt rocket fire and international guarantees that militants won't rearm before it agrees to a truce.

Regev said it was possible that ministers would take a decision on a cease-fire as early as this weekend. But he said Israel was first waiting to receive reports from envoys that traveled Friday to Cairo and Washington to discuss terms of a truce.

Chief Israeli negotiator Amos Gilad was in Egypt on his second trip in two days to discuss an Egyptian truce proposal. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni traveled to the U.S. in an effort to hammer out a deal with Washington on blocking arms smuggling.

Earlier Friday, during a visit to the West Bank, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called on Israel to take unilateral action.

But Regev dismissed that idea.

"I don't believe that there's a logical expectation in the international
community that Israel unilaterally cease fire while Hamas would continue to target cities, trying to kill our people," he said.

Gaza health officials say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in the coastal strip.


Related articles:
  • Hamas: We will not accept Israel cease-fire demands
  • ANALYSIS / Would a weak Hamas or no Hamas be better in Gaza?
  • Hamas vows revenge after IDF kills Gaza Interior Minister Said Sayyam
  • Is Israel using illegal weapons in its offensive on Gaza?
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Still kicking
    Hamas says won't accept Israel's Gaza cease-fire demands.
    Turkish dislike
    Turkish PM Erdogan calls for UN to ban Israel over Gaza offensive.
      1.   hopes 20:50  |  ramallah 16/01/09
      2.   Fatal democratic abstractions and aptitude-to-sovereignty 21:03  |  Egon B.E. Friberger 16/01/09
      3.   Why would anyone expect a durable quiet 21:28  |  gary 16/01/09
      4.   The Hollow Government 21:50  |  Mark Lincoln 16/01/09
      5.   Palestinians must show that peace cannot be imposed on them 22:51  |  U.N. MAN 16/01/09
      6.   How to stop arms imports into Gaza 23:00  |  Victor 16/01/09
      7.   durable quiet 23:08  |  azad 16/01/09
      8.   azad, Hamas has has been taught a lesson 04:45  |  CommonSense 17/01/09
      9.   a better way 07:12  |  vik 17/01/09
      10.   "Durable quiet." Yes, Israel will have "durable quiet, hopefully. 08:19  |  Maureen Ann 17/01/09
     Read & React
    Hamas vows revenge after IDF kills Gaza Interior Minister Said Sayyam
    Responses: 67
    Harel & Issacharoff: Would a weak Hamas or no Hamas be better in Gaza?
    Responses: 38
    A.B. Yehoshua: An open letter to Gideon Levy on his absurd comparisons
    Responses: 64
    Bradley Burston: In Gaza's shadow / Obama's inaugural message
    Responses: 20
    Editorial: Although it's too late, end the war in Gaza now
    Responses: 32


    More Headlines
    19:05 Nine soldiers wounded, four seriously, in Gaza fighting
    17:14 Israel's Cabinet to vote Saturday on unilateral Gaza truce
    16:37 Egypt urges Israel to implement unconditional Gaza truce
    18:20 Noam Shalit: Any truce deal must include the release of Gilad from Gaza custody
    17:04 15 Gaza rockets hit Negev, one striking empty synagogue
    17:37 Hamas: We will continue fighting if truce demands aren't met
    16:14 Journalist calls Livni 'terrorist' during press conference on Gaza operation
    18:05 British PM Brown offers to use Royal Navy to battle Gaza arms smuggling
    17:40 ANALYSIS / Unlike Livni and Barak, Olmert is focusing on Gaza, not elections
    11:32 ANALYSIS / Who is really winning the war in the Gaza Strip?
    14:44 Report: Assad ready to cooperate with U.S., won't give up good relations with Iran
    12:41 Israeli-trained Gaza doctor loses three daughters and niece to IDF tank shell
    19:28 Israel rejects suggestion committed 'war crimes' in Gaza
    08:30 UN General Assembly adopts resolution urging immediate Gaza cease-fire
    12:42 U.S. intelligence chief: Iran nuclear weapon could start regional war
    03:42 U.S., Israel sign pact to battle Iran arms smuggling into Gaza
    10:25 Palestinian killed, IDF soldier hurt in West Bank protest against Gaza operation
    09:05 Indonesian protesters of Gaza op call for country's only synagogue to close
    01:22 Text of U.S.-Israel agreement to end Gaza arms smuggling
    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