Livni to meet today with Mubarak in Cairo

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is to update Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak today in Cairo on the cabinet decision approving a military response to continuing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Livni is expected to tell Mubarak that Israel has decided to end its restraint, strike at Hamas and not agree to a cease-fire except on its own terms.

Livni will meet with Mubarak, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu-Gheit.

The Egyptians, who over the past few days have been tying to renew their efforts to broker a renewed cease-fire in Gaza, are expected to appeal to Livni for Israel to give another chance for a cease-fire. Livni is to tell Mubarak that Israel's response will be harsh and will be directed against Hamas government institutions.

Speaking at a Kadima rally yesterday, the foreign minister said: "The status quo that Hamas is trying to present has to change and it will change."

Yesterday, the security cabinet approved the military action in response to the continued rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, which would be "significant and painful," according to a government source in Jerusalem.

The cabinet discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip for about an hour, during which the ministers were presented with various options for an Israel Defense Force response to ongoing Qassasm missile strikes in the western Negev.

The actions are to constitute a gradual escalation, particularly from the air to hit Hamas government and military "assets" in the Gaza Strip.

All about timing

The cabinet ministers authorized Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to approve the timing of the attack.

Timing is expected to be dependent upon the weather, which at the moment would make an air attack difficult because of heavy cloud cover in the area.

Livni added: "I advise Hamas, don't delude yourselves. Our desire for peace and quiet will not replace our need to act against enemies, arming and abductions, and this we will do, because there is a point at which the leadership says, this far and no further."