BBC: Israel 'to announce ceasefire'

BBC ^ | Saturday, 17 January 2009 17:51 GMT, | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Israel 'to announce ceasefire'

Air strikes continued in Gaza as Israel prepared to announce a truce

The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to offensive military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after attacks began, the BBC understands.

Israel's leaders are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said.

The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas.

It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met.

Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued.

Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis - three civilians and 10 soldiers - have been killed during the campaign.

'H-Hour'

The Israeli move comes amid intense diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict.

Israeli sources told the BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, that Mr Olmert would announce an end to offensive military operations from "H-Hour", the exact timing of which is not yet clear.

GAZA LATEST

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[rogue yam]

This makes no sense. A cease-fire deal that doesn't involve Hamas? That is almost as incomprehensible as one that does involve Hamas.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

If the Israelis can cut off the weapons flow.....that would change everything.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Related...at the BBC:

Bowen diary: Is this the end?

**********************EXCERPT********************

BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen is writing a diary of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

17 January

Is this going to be the war's last day? The Israelis are saying that it might be. At the end of the Jewish Sabbath, after the sun goes down tonight, Israel's security cabinet is going to meet.

The prime minister's spokesman, Mark Regev, told me late last night that they had what they needed for a ceasefire.

He expects the proposal to be put to a vote, and he expects it to pass.

What does Israel think it has? First of all the deal with the Americans about a joint effort to stop arms smuggling into Gaza to rearm Hamas.

The memorandum of understanding is most important as a political symbol.

It allows Israel to say that one of its main ceasefire demands has been satisfied. Add that to the army's conviction that it has done serious harm to Hamas, and they can tell themselves they have a convincing basis on which to declare victory.

Israel doesn't want to bestow any legitimacy on Hamas by making an agreement with it. But to me that smacks of spin control. The reality is that Hamas is part of the Palestinian landscape. It has played a full part in the ceasefire talks that have been mediated by Egypt.

Cairo has passed on the views of Hamas to Israel. When this is over, and when Israeli troops pull out, Hamas will still be in charge in the Gaza Strip.

[Las Vegas Ron]

No, no, no, demand surrender!

[lilylangtree]

The main question is like when Israel when into Lebanon: Did Israel get the job done?

[lodi90]

This is all so predictable and choreographed. Everyone knows Israel has to declare victory and retreat before the 0bama coronation. There is just 0% chance of Israel bombing gaza while Barry Lincoln is getting the keys to the Honky House on tuesday.

[brwnsuga]

Aren’t the Israelis about to announce and “end of operations”. That means they negotiated nothing, they just decided that they met their goals.

[Eternal_Bear]

what’s the point of a cease fire if the other side won’t go along? Makes no sense.

[SolidWood]

Met what goals? If Hamas is still in charge afterwards and will get resupplied with new rockets... what has been the lasting achievement. Israel should continue until Hamas is no more, surrenders and is disarmed/disbanded. Everything else is letting them off the hook. This is insanity.

[goldstategop]

Israel ceases, Hamas fires. The cowardice and deafeatism of Israel's leaders have produced a new hudna. They never intended to win. Israel lost another a war, folks - bottom line.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[veryconernedamerican]

Israel declares ceasefire, Hamas continues firing, Israel defends itself. As long as the Israeli troops don’t withdraw yet this is propaganda. Egypt is rejecting the Israeli cease fire saying Israel needs to withdraw as a condition of any cease fire. There may be more to this than meets the eye. Or Olmert could be a complete and utter fool. History will tell.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Livni and Condi Rice signed an agreement.....

[gandalftb]

Good post. The IDF is running out of targets as the surviving Hamas fighters/leadership are dug in deep and mixed with civilians.

The cease fire is tactical stand down to allow Hamas to reveal itself. You cannot shape the battlefield if you don't know where it is.

Withdrawal is not an option. Credit Hamas for being smart enough to see this "cease fire" for what it is, let's see if (hopefully) they'll come out and fight (and die) some more.

In any case Israel needs to reload and rest its fighters.

[NormsRevenge]

time to reload.. rearm.. until Hamas disbands completely and unconditionally surrenders,, keep pushing..

[08bil98z24]

Israel ceases, Hamas fires. The cowardice and deafeatism of Israel's leaders have produced a new hudna. They never intended to win. Israel lost another a war, folks - bottom line.

Israel's goal was never to destroy Hamas completely in this operation, the main difference between 2006 and today. Because your goal was for the IDF to destroy Hamas, and if they didn't, they lost does not make it the truth.

Of all the wars Israel fought since the begining of its creation, they have never entirely destroyed a country, Army, or organization; YET they are still one of the most powerful countries in the Middle East.

Stop spieling the Media and Arab lies that Israel lost; (I don't care if you are pro-Israel, spieling that does nothing except benefit leftists, Islamics, and the media)

This operation is not the same as Lebanon in 2006.

[veryconernedamerican]

Oh look at this, Israel to cease fire and if Hamas ceases fire to leave at a time of their choosing. So far, so good.