21:16 IST (2:16pm ET)
Israel demands right to act against tunnels, official says
Israel wants to reserve the right to continue to operate against Gaza tunnels during a proposed five-day ceasefire with Hamas, Israeli officials tell Walla News, citing this demand as one of the reasons for the rejection of the American truce offer in its current form.
Though Israel has rejected the American ceasefire proposal, the government leaves the door open for an improved offer, government officials say.
According to Walla, the American offer had stipulated that both sides must stop all military activities as part of the proposed truce.
22:17
Israeli source bashes Kerry, says his offer biased toward Hamas
Army Radio quotes an unnamed source in Jerusalem flatly disputing Secretary Kerry’s assertion that his ceasefire proposal, rejected by the cabinet tonight, is “built on” the Egyptian proposal that Israel accepted Wednesday.
“It is not built on the Egyptian proposal,” the source is quoted saying. It is, rather, heavily tilted toward Hamas.
Army Radio also plays down Kerry’s assertion that Netanyahu has “indicated his willingness” to accept Ban Ki-moon’s proposal for a 12-hour time out as “a good faith downpayment.” There’s no agreement on when this 12-hour time out might start; and such pauses have been breached in the past by Hamas, the radio report notes.