Ceasefire Talks Still Going, Hamas Threatens More Rockets when Truce Expires A tentative ceasefire is holding in Israel, though Hamas is threatening to fire on the Jewish state when the truce expires tomorrow. The news comes as negotiations continue in Cairo, aimed at reaching a more lasting peace. Hamas rejected an offer to extend the 72-hour ceasefire, which went into place Tuesday morning. The terror group is reportedly miffed that more of its demands are not being met. “There is no agreement to extend the ceasefire,” said Hamas deputy leader Mussa Abu Marzouk. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri added: “Any news about the extension of the truce is unfounded.” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told US Secretary of State John Kerry that Hamas reports of denying the extension were ”coercive,” and added that “Israel will take this into account and is prepared for any eventuality.” Meanwhile, representatives from Britain, France and Germany have drafted a proposal for rebuilding Gaza, where the four weeks of Operation protective Edge have left much in shambles. The plan calls for a demilitarization of the Strip, which Israel would likely welcome, but also a lift of the Gaza blockade, which has long been a sticking point in negotiations. Israel considers the blockade crucial to its security so long as terror cells remain in control of Gaza. What did the IDF achieve in Gaza? The answer is simple: Hamas is now weaker. Israel is now safer. ift.tt/1sgM1pz — IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) August 7, 2014 However, the plan included vague language that leaves room for interpretation, and a top official in Jerusalem told the Times of Israel that the government is ready for a “serious dialogue on how to deal with the reconstruction of Gaza.” “There are no constraints and no limits whatsoever for humanitarian aid reaching Gaza,” the source said. “We have said yes to the reconstruction of Gaza, but no to the reconstruction of Hamas, and definitely no to the rehabilitation of its terrorist machine.” US President Barack Obama supported the Cairo talks today, intimating the next step should indeed be a lift of the Gaza blockade. “The US goal right now would be to make sure that the cease-fire holds, that Gaza can begin the process of rebuilding, and that some measures are taken so that the people of Gaza feel some sense of hope and the people of Israel feel confident that they’re not going to have a repeat of the kind of rocket launches that we’ve seen over the last several weeks,” Obama said. “I have no sympathy for Hamas. I have great sympathy for ordinary people who are struggling within Gaza. And the question then becomes, can we find a formula in which Israel has greater assurance that Gaza will not be a launching pad for further attacks, perhaps more dangerous attacks as technology develops into their country. But at the same time, ordinary Palestinians have some prospects for an opening of Gaza.” Watch this video of IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz giving a briefing after the ceasefire: The post Ceasefire Talks Still Going, Hamas Threatens More Rockets when Truce Expires appeared first on Jspace News. ift.tt/1lDU6Nu
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:50:45 +0000
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