Israel rejects Kerry cease fire proposal

Jerusalem Post:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet has rejected proposals for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and is seeking changes to the plans, a government source said on Friday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has been pushing for a halt to 18 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Full details of the proposed truce have not been released, but the government official, who declined to be named, said Israel wanted modifications before agreeing to any end to hostilities. Hamas has yet to respond to the proposed ceasefire.

Earlier Friday, Channel 10 cited sources in the diplomatic-security cabinet who said that Israel viewed Kerry's bridging proposals as "a Qatari proposal with ornaments."

Qatar has been accused by Israel of providing financing and political support to Hamas. According to Channel 10, senior Israeli ministers have ruled as "out of the question" a cease-fire in which the IDF would be prevented from fully rooting out the threat of underground tunnels built by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Media reports indicated that Kerry's cease-fire proposal included a week-long halt to fighting so that humanitarian supplies could be distributed in Gaza.

Earlier on Friday, aides to Kerry were said to be cautiously optimistic regarding the chances of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Channel 10 reported.
...

An Israeli official said the Netanyahu government envisages the initial halt to the fighting lasting seven days, during which the army would keep digging up tunnels on Gaza's eastern frontier.

"First Israel wants to hear Hamas's response to the (Kerry) proposals," an official said, adding that some members of the security cabinet also sought assurances that Gaza would be stripped of its remaining rockets under any extended ceasefire.
...
Hamas's wish list is unrealistic.  It is doubtful that Israel would ever agree to drop its restrictions as long a Hams is in charge of the government.  It already looks like Hams abused the humanitarian relief that was permitted, by diverting materials into building the tunnel network in order to attack Israelis.  I never thought Kerry's proposal was going to be acceptable to either side.  Israel is better off to continue to destroy the Hamas infrastructure of terror.  When that is done they will be able to impose a defacto cease fire on Hamas.

Update:  Both sides have agreed to a 12 cease fire for Saturday.  If past history means anything Hamas will start shooting well before the time is up.  I think Israel plans to continue searching for tunnels and weapons.

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