French push 'humanitarian window,' Israelis reluctant

Telegraph:

News of a "humanitarian window'' initiative proposed by Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, came after a fourth day of Israeli air attacks that claimed the lives of more Palestinian civilians including two children.

But while the Palestinian death toll grew to 365, including 39 children, there was some evidence late yesterday of a slowing down of the rate of Israel's air attacks.

The humanitarian plan envisages a 48-hour period during which the Israeli armed forces would direct their fire away from the crossing points into Gaza so desperately needed aid could be delivered.

The willingness of Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, to consider the idea was the first indication of a possible reduction in the momentum of the Israeli assault codenamed operation Cast Lead.

...

Ynet reports a lack of enthusiasm for the French suggestion:

A state official said Tuesday night that "Israel mustn't talk of a ceasefire for humanitarian needs. This expression is unacceptable to us, as medications, blood and basic commodities have already been transferred to the Gaza Strip."

The official spoke after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert placed an embargo on the resolutions of his four-hour meeting with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin and other defense officials on ways to continue the military operation in Gaza.

Sources in Jerusalem made it clear after the meeting that the French definition for the ceasefire, as suggested by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to Defense Minister Barak, was unacceptable. They added, however, that a ceasefire would be possible if Hamas were to stop firing rockets towards Israel.

...
It appears that suggesting the ceasefire was for humanitarian purposes was a mistake on the part of the French, since the Israelis maintain they are already allowing humanitarian supplies into the area. How did the French and most of the media miss that?

It is possible that the French and the rest of the Euros are trying to give the Hamas death cult an excuse to quit its nonsensical firing of rockets toward noncombatants. Hamas needs to be destroyed for the sake of the Palestinians and humiliation would be a good start.

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