Israel’s envoy Amos Gilad arrived to Cairo Thursday to discuss the Egyptian proposal with intelligence chief Omar Suleiman amid strong reservations by Hamas.Hamas said that it would deal positively with the Egyptian ceasefire proposal if the resistance movement’s reservations were taken into consideration. A member of the Hamas delegation, Salah el-Bardaweel, said during a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday that Hamas’s demands are the immediate halt of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, lifting the siege, opening the crossings and compensating the Palestinian people.
Hamas also demands an immediate withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza strip before it would agree to a ceasefire.
Bardaweel stressed there is no discord with the Egyptian leadership, however, he added that the issue was how to deal with Israel with respect to the articles of the proposal.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said he would relay Hamas's position to Israel on Thursday. He said that Hamas has responded "positively" to the Egyptian proposal.
Hamas’s politburo member Mohamad Nazzal told Al-Jazeera that” the movement did not turn down the proposal, neither did it accept it.”
He added that in case Israel rejected Hamas’s demands, the resistance movement will cease to deal with the Egyptian proposal. “Accepting or rejecting the proposal is in Israel’s hands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak is said to be in favor of accepting the Egyptian proposal and ending the operation in the Gaza Strip, and Foreing Minister Tsibi Livni has been advocating a unilateral cease-fire on Israel's behalf. Olmert, who has nothing more to lose, is against Barak and Livni and wants the offensive to continue.
According to Tel Aviv officials quoted by Israeli media, Barak believes that the ground operation in Gaza has achieved its goals, primarily restoring Israel's level of deterrence in the face of Hamas.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak is said to be in favor of accepting the Egyptian proposal and ending the operation in the Gaza Strip, and Foreing Minister Tsibi Livni has been advocating a unilateral cease-fire on Israel's behalf. Olmert, who has nothing more to lose, is against Barak and Livni and wants the offensive to continue.
According to Tel Aviv officials quoted by Israeli media, Barak believes that the ground operation in Gaza has achieved its goals, primarily restoring Israel's level of deterrence in the face of Hamas.
Defense officials said that Gilad would return to Israel and present the plan to Barak, Livni and Olmert, who would then make the final decision of whether to accept the offer, most probably on Friday.
Courtesy almartv.lb | January 15,2009
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