Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., June 13, 2008 Sivan 10, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:14 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 09:14 12/06/2008 Official: Israel has no illusions on truce, expects Gaza flare-up By Barak Ravid ,Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Amos Gilad, Ehud Barak, Hamas  A senior political official said Wednesday that Israel has no illusions regarding a cease-fire with the Gaza Strip and even expects that a conflict with Gaza is inevitable. The official said that the security cabinet has instructed the military to prepare for military action in the Gaza Strip according to a rapid timetable, even as the state has decided to hold off on a major raid to give truce talks a chance. "We want to check if this cease-fire can hold up," the official said, "but it is clear that a conflict with Gaza is inevitable in the end." Advertisement Meanwhile, Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad will head to Cairo on Thursday in attempt to reignite the Egyptian-brokered truce talks. During his trip to Cairo, Gilad is expected to push for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, even if it does not take place in the first stage of the cease-fire. Gilad will also demand Egypt explain its plans to prevent further weapons-smuggling into Gaza. Egypt has been trying to broker a truce for months, mediating between Hamas and Israel, which refuse to deal directly with each other. Hamas demands that Israel must release its blockade of Gaza, imposed after Hamas overran the territory a year ago. The security cabinet deflected pressure Wednesday to order the army into Gaza immediately and instead authorized Defense Minister Ehud Barak to exhaust the dialogue with Egypt in order to achieve all of Israel's conditions for a calm or a truce. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev announced the decision in an official statement on Wednesday afternoon. Regev warned that although there will be no broad military action for the time being, the Israel Defense Forces will continue its preparations in case the truce talks fail. The announcement came after a meeting of the diplomatic-security cabinet on the issue of the proposed truce with Hamas in Gaza. Related articles: Israel: No Gaza raid, we'll give truce talks a chance Palestinians: IDF kills 4 in Gaza; Negev man wounded by mortar Haniyeh aide: Hamas expects gesture in exchange for Shalit letter UN Secretary General suggests int'l force to man Gaza crossings Top MI officer: Hamas fears broad IDF operation in Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   Gin and Jews American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan. Late date Scientists revive 2,000-year-old date seed found at Masada.   1.   BS from directions to all directions 09:31  |  Pervert 12/06/08   2.   BS from directions to all directions 09:31  |  Pervert 12/06/08   3.   Israel desperately clings to Gaza violence 10:32  |  Natallie Durson 12/06/08   4.   Israel "expects Gaza flare-up" 11:34  |  Johnboy 12/06/08   5.   Who needs this "truce" at all ??? 12:35  |  Vitaly 12/06/08   6.   4# You can make Jocks to your heart`s content Johnboy. 12:38  |  Akram Zekaria 12/06/08   7.   no illusion: Government is not protecting its CITIZENS! 13:32  |  Avi 12/06/08   8.   Patience grasshopper, patience 14:17  |  Michael 12/06/08   9.   And if Israel does indeed agree to a broad military Option..... 16:06  |  Dagma 12/06/08   10.   Are Israelis beginning to learn? 16:13  |  charlie 12/06/08   11.   To Akram Zakaria # 6 - Illusions again..... 16:29  |  Dagma 12/06/08   12.   Give a Time Frame to hamas to Accept Truce or... 16:42  |  The Archives 12/06/08   13.   Israel needs to think carefully and does indeed... 17:03  |  Natasha 12/06/08   14.   #11 This applies to all the Jews too, Dagma? 17:34  |  Johnboy 12/06/08   15.   JOHNBOY #14 18:42  |  JOJO 12/06/08   16.   11# Dagma & 14# Johnboy & 3000# years of the Wandering Jew . 19:36  |  Akram Zekaria 12/06/08   17.   no illusion 21:37  |  Francis 12/06/08   18.   7 No illusion 21:39  |  Anthony 12/06/08   19.   16 Akram zakariya 21:45  |  Anthony 12/06/08   20.   #12 friend from kwalalumpur 23:05  |  Anthony 12/06/08   21.   19# Anthony 04:21  |  Akram Zekaria 13/06/08   22.   #15 Back atcha`, JOJO 04:31  |  Johnboy 13/06/08

Read & React Gadhafi: Obama fears Israel may kill him like it did JFK Responses: 240 Bradley Burston: When smart countries - like Israel - go dumb Responses: 111 Israel concerned Hezbollah may try to 'settle score' over Mughniyeh Responses: 111 Rabbi: Religious settlers can violate Shabbat to build Responses: 82 Nadav Shragai: Israel must retake Gaza before it's too late Responses: 64 Rosner's Domain Bobby Kennedy and the history of pro-Israel candidates What Obama should have said (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? NJDC: McCain's advisor soft on Iran (WTR) The UN's Complicity With Evil More Headlines 04:29 Israel to stick with cease-fire talks despite heavy shelling from Gaza 04:31 A year after Gaza takeover, Hamas shows no sign of ending violence 23:21 'Israel Lobby' authors in Jerusalem: Ahmadinejad not inciting to genocide 05:05 Daniel Ben-Simon: Why I'm leaving journalism for politics 21:56 Poll: Most Israelis, Palestinians see no point in peace talks 00:19 UN to discuss resolution demanding that Israel halt West Bank settlement construction 21:53 Palestinian PM Fayyad reaches out for grass roots support with message of change 00:15 Israeli scientists grow palm from 2,000-year-old seed at Masada 23:22 Obama, McCain condoms 'for when you just need to switch your position' 15:32 Malik Obama: As president, my brother would be good for Jews 00:16 American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan Previous Editions Select Day 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may

Special Offers Advertisement In the heart of Tel-Aviv The Meier on Rothschild tower Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations 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

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