Cairo – The Israeli government has accepted an Egyptian cease-fire proposal meant to halt a monthlong war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, a senior Israeli official said, signaling an end to the bloodiest round of fighting between the bitter enemies is finally approaching.
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The official said a preliminary 72-hour truce was to begin at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) Tuesday. He said an Israeli delegation would head to Egypt to work out a long-term truce over the next three days.
A delegation of Palestinian officials has been negotiating with Egypt in recent days, and representatives said they had accepted the proposal as well. There was no comment from Hamas, but the delegation includes Hamas members.
“It’s clear now that the interest of all parties is to have a cease-fire,” said Bassam Salhi, a member of the Palestinian delegation. “It’s going to be tough negotiations because Israel has demands too.”
The war broke out on July 8 when Israel launched an air campaign in response to heavy rocket fire out of Hamas-controlled Gaza. Israel expanded the operation by sending in ground forces on July 17 in what it described as a mission to destroy a network of tunnels used by Hamas militants to stage attacks. The army said it is close to destroying the last of the tunnels.
Several previous cease-fires have collapsed, including a similar plan for a 72-hour truce that broke down last Friday in heavy fighting. Both sides blamed each other.
The Israeli official said Israel will be watching the negotiations “with a certain amount of skepticism” given the previous failures.
He spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement by the Israeli government.
The IDF would be well advised to remain on full combat alert and watch for snipers and more vermin coming out of their holes.
It’s a joke !! By now
What exactly is Israel agreeing to?
Either Hamas won’t honor it, like in the past. Or Hamas are so desperate for Israel to stop their offensive.
That’s why it’s so important for Israel to continue destroying them.
WHY TRUST HAMAS NOW??? CHAZAKA OF BREaking ceasefires within the first few hours???????????
I thought that Bibi vowed not to stop this operation until Gaza is demilitarized. Did Hamas give up all of their weapons and agree to accept Israel’s right to exist? Looks like another half-baked war which will only allow Hamas to come back even stronger and more dangerous. Why did those precious young soldiers have to die if the job they started can’t be finished the right way?
Is it possible that Bibi knows that tisha b’ov is coming and wants to minimize the risk. Knowing and hoping that Hamas will keep it for 24 hours?
Is there ever a ceasefire proposal to which Israel would not agree?
Take note of who is and who isn’t involved in this ceasefire negotiation. The parties and Egypt are involved and the foreign do gooders are not. The US, EU, UN, Turkey, Qatar are not represented. This ceasefire will hold because the parties desire it. It should be a lesson for the future as well……but it wont be.
what was gained in the last month?!?!?! …60+ yidishe lives lost. and milions upon millions of antisemitic vermin crawling out of their holes. that’s about it. no really millitary or security gain. these tunnels will be replenished r”l in no time. and those murderers don’t really care about the 1800 “innocent” lives lost. so again… what was gained with the whole operation???