Israeli cabinet approves further ceasefire negotiations and preparations for Gaza attack
12 Jun 2008
The Israeli security cabinet decided on Wednesday afternoon to support the Egyptian efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and stopping Palestinian rocket fire on the western Negev, according to Israeli sources.
At the same meeting, the security cabinet also issued instructions for the Israeli military to continue its preparations to confront any possible scenario if the Egyptian efforts do not succeed.
Israeli radio reported that the Israeli cabinet had adopted the position of Minister of Defence Ehud Barak that all possibilities for reaching a ceasefire should be exhausted before the army undertakes a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli television had announced previously that the Israeli government was demanding a ceasefire agreement include the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but it appears that this matter is now being discussed separately.
For his part, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum stated that the Israeli cabinet’s decision to attack Gaza if the ceasefire efforts fail, and the continuing Israeli military preparations for this operation, reveal the cabinet’s intention to justify a widespread attack against the Gaza Strip in order to destroy the Palestinian resistance, bring down the national unity government, eliminate the Hamas movement, and force Palestinians to assent to Israel's plans.
In a statement, Barhoum said the Israeli call for an attack on Gaza comes with American blessings, as US President George Bush already gave Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert the green light for this operation during Olmert's recent visit to Washington. He added that Israel exploits the Arab silence, European collusion and American support to continue its crimes and scheduled terror against the Palestinian people.
Barhoum concluded, "In the context of these dangerous decisions, we appeal to our Egyptian brothers to define their position towards the Israeli escalation on the borders of Gaza and the Israeli cabinet decisions aimed at aborting the efforts towards a ceasefire and justifying an attack on Gaza. We announce to the whole world that the Israeli authorities are seeking to sabotage the Egyptian efforts for a ceasefire."