Renewed Egyptian ceasfire attempts undermined by Israel

[subsuelo]

In the wake of a series of deadly Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip early this month, Egypt has stepped up efforts aimed at brokering a ceasefire between Palestinian resistance groups and Tel Aviv.

"Egypt is talking to representatives from Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Israel in order to arrive at a tacit easing of hostilities," Mohamed Basyouni, head of the Shura (upper parliamentary) Council's committee for Arab affairs, and former Egyptian ambassador to Israel, told IPS.

Cairo's mediation efforts initially appeared to bear fruit, with Israel refraining from attacks on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and a concomitant cessation of rockets fired by Palestinian resistance groups.

The peace was shattered on 12 March, however, when the Israeli military killed four Islamic Jihad leaders in a "targeted assassination" in the West Bank. The next day, the resistance faction retaliated by firing a volley of short-range rockets into southern Israel.

"The cessation of hostilities held for a week," said Basyouni. "If Israel hadn't broken it, it would have held longer -- Jihad wouldn't have retaliated."

Israeli officials, however, continue to reject the notion of dialogue with Hamas. On 20 March, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak vowed to continue military operations against targets in the Gaza Strip, reiterating the long-standing Israeli refusal to negotiate with what Tel Aviv considers a "terrorist organization."

According to Abelaziz Shadi, coordinator for the Israeli studies program at Cairo University, Israel's maximalist position can be attributed to the Hebrew state's domestic politics.

" Olmert rejects the idea of a ceasefire because he is beholden to the right-wing parties in his government, which refuse to countenance the idea of making concessions to the Palestinians," Shadi told IPS.

more here

[Behind the Aegis]

1. So, rocket fire into Israel from Gaza doesn't "count" as 'shattering' the peace?

Typical. But, what is to be expected from the propagandist swill of EI.

[stranger81]

2. You mean rocket fire that follows the slaughter of 130 Gazans?

That kind of rocket fire?

That kind of slaughter is only "not disturbing the peace" if you believe that Israelis are the only people deserving of peace.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. No, I mean the rocket fire that was shot during a supposed ceasefire.

I don't believe Israelis are the only people deserving peace, but you seem to think they are the only ones not worthy of peace.

[stranger81]

4. Not at all. I just understand that for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction.

To expect an entire population dispossessed of their land and basic human rights to refrain from any retaliation or response is simply unrealistic. It's a little like bombing Iraq and expecting hugs and roses.

As the American left would say, "no justice, no peace."

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Then stick to the story.

The "article" is about events after the Gaza operation and Yeshiva massacre and before the "Israeli break" in the ceasefire. The facts on the ground are the rockets never stopped, but when Israel killed four militants, suddenly it is Israel who "shatters" the peace. Double standards all the way. Of course, the one-sided propaganda oozes throughout the "article."

[subsuelo]

6. Speaking of facts, how about we get those straight?

Israel killed 130 Gazans in 2 days. 8 days went by and there were no rocket attacks. On Mar 11 PFLP launched one rocket which landed in an open area in Ashkelon, killing noone. Even though PFLP claimed responsibility, Israel blamed Hamas. On Mar 12 Israel assassinated 4 Palestinians in the West Bank. That attack was not claimed to be a retaliation for the one rocket. Barak openly stated "Israel will hunt down murderers with Jewish blood on their hands" -- obviously implying that the assassination would have occurred regardless of the one rocket launched the previous day.

The cease-fire attempted to be broked by Egypt is one that would involve all parties -- all militant groups on the Palestinian side refraining from attacks, and covering both Gaza and the West Bank on the Israeli side.

So, like it or not, EI's article is completely correct. The killings of the 4 Palestinians on March 12 did undermine Egypt's ceasefire attempts. There is no spin or propaganda there.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Well, your own post proves me correct.

BTW, there were also a handful of rockets shot on March 9th, so there goes that "8 days went by and there were no rocket attacks" crap. Again, it just goes to show, it is OK when the ceasefire is ignored by Palestinians, but not Israelis.

EI's article is crap. It is propaganda of the most basic kind, anti-Israeli swill.

ON EDIT: 130 Gazans weren't killed in two days. And, when are those "8 days went by and there were no rocket attacks?"

[subsuelo]

8. There were no reports of attacks on March 9th

If you think that is incorrect, I would like to see the report.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. here...

Qassam rocket lands in southern community; no injuries reported


Published: 03.09.08, 17:26 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday landed in an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council.

There were no reports of injuries or damage. (Shmulik Hadad)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3516932,00.html

Now, when were those mytical 8 days of no rockets?

[subsuelo]

10. Thanks, I stand corrected.

Obviously it wouldn't be 8 days then - it's 6, unless you know of any occurrences before the 9th?

[Behind the Aegis]

11. sure...

(March 8th) Qassam, 3 mortars land in western Negev on Saturday

(March 7th) Qassam rocket lands within Eshkol Regional Council; no injuries

(March 6th) One man moderately injured by Qassam attack in Sderot

Two Qassam rockets hit Sderot Thursday evening one of which caused damage to a structure in the battered town.

---snip---

At least nine rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza on Thursday.

(March 5th) 6 Qassam rockets land in western Negev; none injured

(March 4th) IDF kills Gaza Islamic Jihad commander

---snip---

Seven more Kassams fired from Gaza hit the western Negev Tuesday.

[subsuelo]

12. That is really terrible.

ynet the only place reporting these things as they occur?

[Behind the Aegis]

13. Dunno.

One post is from JP. I tried to search Ha'aretz's site, but it is only bringing up articles from January. :shrug: But, if anything, it shows the rockets never stopped despite a supposed "ceasefire." There is only one day before the assassinations that didn't see rocket fire on Israel (this doesn't include mortar fire) and that is March 10th. The rocket shot landed in Gaza.

[subsuelo]

14. Rocket attacks definitely did not stop during this time period then

I was wrong in stating that.

However, it does underscore for me the urgency to get some real commitments to a ceasefire on all sides. And despite my being completely wrong on the statement about no rocket attacks, fact is, that Israel's killings of the 4 Palestinians does undermine that attempt at a ceasefire. Both sides are clearly hell-bent on continuing as they please, until we get some kind of commitments going.

I actually believe the 'iron is hot' if you will, regarding this particular attempt Egypt is making towards striking up a ceasefire for all sides. This just feels to me like a turning point and I for one would greatly like to see that happen.

[Vegasaurus]

15. I think we would all like to see it happen

No one here wants to see perpetual violence.

The problem with "ceasefires" is that, at least up until this very minute, Israel has kept her end, and the Palestinians haven't.

Whether or not Hamas was responsible for the rockets, or whether IJ or other splinter groups took responsibility, doesn't matter. The fact is that the rockets have never stopped.

I would also like to see a ceasefire. But Hamas is going to have to control all its militants, both from its 'armed wing' and the rest. They have already said they refuse to give up their resistance. What makes you think Hamas will now do what it needs to do to actually make a lasting ceasefire?

[Vegasaurus]

16. dupe/delete

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Thank you for admitting your error.

That is an honest 'thank you' and not a snotty dig.

You can see though, no ceasefire ever really existed, yet it is Israel being blamed for "shattering the peace." So, it is incorrect to lay the blame at the feet of the Israelis, when, clearly, the Palestinian factions never adhered to a 'cease-fire.' So, how can Israel "undermine" something that never existed in the first place?

The other propaganda in the piece is related to Olmert refusing to meet with Hamas. It is written as if he is the one not willing to sit at the table. Hamas also refuses to sit down with Israel. It is the entire reason Egypt is a 'go-between.'

[subsuelo]

18. You are right.

I will be writing to Electronic Intifada later in the day to question their wording in this article. It is misleading.