Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 24, 2008 Adar2 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:53 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Major General (res.) Amos Gilad. (Archives) Last update - 08:42 23/03/2008 ANALYSIS: Unofficial Gaza cease-fire benefits everybody By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Egypt, Hamas, Gaza, Israel Despite the frequent meetings, at all levels of the indirect talks, it is still not possible to say there is a done deal between Israel, Egypt and Hamas, which details a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, too, Hamas and Islamic Jihad representatives met with members of the Egyptian intelligence at El Arish. Major General (res.) Amos Gilad has been making frequent visits Cairo on behalf of the Defense Ministry's political-security bureau. Even if the sides do not reach a full agreement, and even if they do not decide to reopen the border crossings of the Strip, the situation on the ground is fairly clear: a complete lull, for now, in the fighting between Israel and Hamas and brief exchanges between Israel and Jihad. Nonetheless, no senior Israeli official has bothered to inform the public of this development. The press has not been briefed. The prime minister and the defense minister continue to deny the existence of the indirect understandings, and no one has brought the deal before the cabinet or the Knesset for approval. In the absence of a written agreement or direct negotiations, Israel's decision makers consider themselves above having to offer explanations - not even on the question of how the lull follows their unequivocal declarations, less than a month ago, that the end to the fighting would serve Hamas and allow it to grow stronger. The Southern Command is not initiating offensive operations in the Strip, except for a few air strikes targetting Islamic Jihad militants. When Israel and the Jihad clash, as they did 10 days ago, when seven militants were killed in IDF operations in the Strip and the West Bank, Hamas remained an observer. Its gunmen were ordered not to interfere. The lull is important for the group, and it is also fair to assume that there is little concern for militants of a rival faction being targetted. Advertisement From the IDF's point of view, Hamas militants are not targets. Both sides seem to be ignoring each other: Neither is attacking the other, while Egypt is trying to reach more extensive agreements that will also include the border crossings. Meanwhile, Egypt has deployed more forces to the Egyptian side of the border with the Strip, which Israel is pretending not to see, in an effort to secure a border fence along the Philadelphi Route. Meanwhile, there is tension between Hamas and Cairo over the detention of three Hamas militants arrested by Egyptian authorities and held in custody following the breach in the wall two months ago, which was caused by Hamas. Hamas is taking advantage of the lull to assert its control over the Strip. In recent days, there have been two "work accidents," the euphemism used to describe blasts resulting from mistakes by men handling explosives. Three militants were killed. This points to continued preparations by the group toward the next confrontation, be it against Israel or the Palestinian Authority. On the civilian front, Hamas has completed its takeover of eight of the 22 medical centers in the Strip. These hospitals will now get priority when it comes to medical supplies and international donations to Gaza, and Strip residents know where to go for the best medical care. Hamas continues with its socioeconomic policies, through its mosque network. If in the past only some of the mosques came under the group's direct control, now Hamas has complete control. Hamas is trying to rally more supporters from the ranks of the youth and children through mosques, and is not sparing any means. A resident of the Strip told Haaretz that his nine-year-old son received many offers from Hamas, to come to classes held in the mosques in exchange for promises of gifts. Related articles: Palestinian sources: No breakthrough in Hamas-Fatah reconciliation bid Fatah delegates to leave Yemen without Hamas deal Hamas refuses Fatah demand it cede Gaza control for reconciliation Hamas man dies in likely 'work accident' at Gaza training camp Bookmark to del.icio.us   Getting online, already A gov't official is planning the first Web site 'to connect all Jews around the world'. Naim to meet you French-Israeli folk singer Yael Naim isn't worried about becoming too commercial.   1.   No Benefit to Peaceful Co-existence 04:20  |  Straight Talk 23/03/08   2.   benefits 04:23  |  alex 23/03/08   3.   This is not a struggle that Hamas asked for!It is solely israel`s 06:38  |  lakshmi 23/03/08   4.   Hamas will use the cease fire to smuggle in truckloads of weapons 08:10  |  Chaim 23/03/08   5.   Win the war against terror. 08:32  |  Jean Van Daem 23/03/08   6.   Everyone.... EXCEPT JEWS!!!! 08:35  |  Ben Uziel 23/03/08   7.   The Hamas approach 12:09  |  Mark Lincoln 23/03/08   8.   Quo Vadis? 12:15  |  Mark Lincoln 23/03/08   9.   Newsflash for those who think Hamas will use lull to smuggle weps 13:11  |  Natallie Durson 23/03/08   10.   Nutty Durs. has secret info. that Hamas=sheep in wolf`s clothing 05:41  |  Genuine Tosefta 24/03/08

Today Online Hezbollah: We have proof Israel killed Mughniyah Responses: 151 Gideon Levy: Blind int'l friendship enables Israel to kill, settle Responses: 179 Editorial: Swiss gas deal with Iran a disgrace, like WWII neutrality Responses: 162 Barak to Cheney: Iran is a threat to the region, the world Responses: 111 Jerusalem official denies reported truce offer to Hamas, Jihad Responses: 79 Rosner's Domain New Guest, Daniel Kurtzer: since '93 U.S. didn't help peace process succeed Govt. to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial I've known my rabbi for more than 20 years... (WTR) There's no need for American pressure on Israel Poll: Mideast summit in Moscow, a good idea? More Headlines 03:13 Israel shifts stance on agreement with Hezbollah 03:07 Study: 'Big Brother' monitoring alive and well in Israeli workplace 05:40 Jewish Agency turns to Haredi donors as budget dwindles 04:27 Laser is future of anti-missile technology, despite doubts 06:33 U.S. Jewish movement embraces mixed marriages, reaches out to kids 04:22 Loving Jesus, fearing the neighbors in Ariel 06:19 The Singapore of the Mideast 03:10 Meretz in 'twilight of its years' according to own audit 06:38 Holocaust commission on treatment of survivors wraps up hearings 03:19 Hamas, Fatah officials in Yemen sign deal to revive direct talks 03:20 PM aide planning Website 'to connect all Jews around the world' 04:29 Barak to Cheney: Iran is threat to region, world Previous Editions Select Day 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar

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