By Stan Goodenough
Apr 30, 2008
Israel is under intense pressure to go along with a ploy disguised as a ceasefire whereby the IDF will stop taking out Arab terrorists in the Gaza Strip and the terror groups will be free to prepare for another round of terrorism.
Hamas, the Palestine Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, which have all been hammered by the Israeli military in recent weeks, have indicated they will agree to stop firing rockets and trying to kill Jews, for now.
In return the IDF must stop its anti-terrorism operations in Gaza and, eventually in Samaria and Judea too.
But the Israeli Cabinet, meeting Wednesday to discuss the Egyptian effort to broker an agreement between them and the terrorists, was mostly opposed to the idea.
According to Ynetnews the ministers believe any ceasefire on Israel's part will "only allow Hamas to regroup, rearm and recruit more operatives before it continues its attacks on Israel."
Washington, however, is reportedly turning the screws on Jerusalem to agree to the proposal in order to create an atmosphere that will benefit US President George W. Bush, who is due to arrive in Israel on May 13 to mark the 60th anniversary of the state's rebirth.
He will allegedly use the opportunity to try and push Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards a "peace" agreement, but wants an atmosphere more "conducive" to "success."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is coming in a few days to prepare the way for her president.