Mutual unilateral cease fire proposed for Gaza

Ynet:

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The cabinet is set to convene Saturday evening to discuss the Egyptian initiative, by which Israel will announce a unilateral ceasefire while forces remain inside the Gaza Strip.

Defense officials said they expect Hamas will also cease its fire under these circumstances. During a briefing of the limited cabinet, the officials said that if the organization continued its fire, Israel would retaliate and the fighting would continue.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Ynet Friday evening that another military campaign would be launched in Gaza if Hamas did not cease its fire. "This battle is not a singular occurrence," she said.

Livni stressed that despite an agreement signed with the US in an attempt to prevent Hamas from smuggling arms into Gaza, "We will not abandon our fate in the hands of foreigners."

She added that even if the unilateral ceasefire were approved, Israel would continue to keep a watchful eye on Gaza. "We will keep our finger on the pulse and Hamas knows this. Israeli citizens should know that this is my obligation. If they raise their heads we act, with strength," the foreign minister said.

"Hamas must stand the test of deterrence", which would include a halt in all smuggling activity as well as the return of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, she said. "We are putting this issue on the table."

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It is interesting that neither party to the war is willing to grant legitimacy to the other in signing a cease fire agreement. Certainly Hamas is not worthy of respect and will probably not honor an agreement after it thinks it is out of danger of destruction.

It does sound like Israel has won a pretty complete capitulation. Hamas has to stop firing rockets into Israel and its access to weapons will be controlled. Hamas will also have to turn over the kidnapped Israeli soldier.