Israel Mulls 48-Hour Halt To Gaza Strikes

Cease-Fire Being Weighed To Give Hamas Opening To Stop Rocket Attacks

(CBS/AP)  Israel, under international pressure, is considering a 48-hour halt to its punishing four-day air campaign on Hamas targets in Gaza to see if Palestinian militants will stop their rocket attacks on southern Israel, Israeli officials said Tuesday.

But Israel insists Hamas has not been damaged enough and that it is still prepared to use its ground troops, if that's what it deems is necessary, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips from the Israel-Gaza border.

"We will do whatever it takes," said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. "We are ready to deepen and widen the operation in order to make sure that the calm and tranquility will come back to the region."

Any truce offer would be coupled with a threat to send in ground troops if the rocket fire continues.

The dilemma that's been facing the Israelis is not just if, but how to use their troops, reports Phillips. A full scale military reoccupation of Gaza is not on the table.

The Israelis have been caught in that quagmire before, Phillips adds. The last time Israel invaded Gaza, their fruitless occupation lasted 38 years.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed the proposal - floated by France's foreign minister - and other possible next steps with his foreign and defense ministers, Israeli officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not supposed to make the information public.

Earlier Tuesday, Olmert told Israeli President Shimon Peres that the current, aerial phase of the operation was just "the first of several" that have been approved, an Olmert spokesman said.

In its Tuesday night meeting, Israel's leadership trio stepped up preparations for a ground offensive, conducting a telephone survey among Cabinet ministers on a plan to call up an additional 2,500 reserve soldiers, if required. Earlier this week, the Cabinet authorized a callup of 6,700 soldiers.

After the four-hour meeting, Olmert's office issued a statement early Wednesday saying no details of the discussion would be made public because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

European Union foreign ministers met Tuesday evening in Paris for urgent talks on the crisis, with France and Germany both seeking a cease-fire.

President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called leaders in the Middle East to press for a durable solution beyond any immediate truce. Mr. Bush, at left, spoke with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad from his office at the ranch in Crawford, Texas, to discuss ways to stop the violence.

And members of the Quartet of world powers trying to promote Mideast peace concluded a conference call with an appeal for an immediate cease-fire. The Quartet powers are the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia.

And even amid talk of a truce, Israeli warplanes continued to unload bombs on targets in Gaza. Powerful airstrikes caused Gaza City's high-rise apartment buildings to sway and showered streets with broken glass and pulverized concrete. Israel's ground forces on Gaza's border also used artillery for the first time.

Hamas kept up its rocket barrages, which have killed four Israelis since the weekend, and sent many more in running for bomb shelters.

The killing zone has been spreading in this conflict, Phillips reports. The Israelis are burying victims in areas that have never been hit by Hamas rockets before.

A medium-range rocket hit the city of Beersheba for the first time ever, zooming 28 miles deep into Israel and slamming into an empty kindergarten. A second rocket landed in an open area near the desert city, Israel's fifth-largest. The military said later it successfully struck the group that launched those rockets.

A pattern of daytime lulls and nighttime spikes in rocket fire appeared to be emerging as militants found safer launch cover in darkness.

Four days into a campaign that has killed 374 Palestinians and prompted Arab and international condemnation, a diplomatic push to end the fighting gathered pace.

In two phone calls to Barak on Monday and Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner appealed to him to consider a truce to allow time for humanitarian relief supplies to enter the beleaguered Gaza Strip, two senior officials in Barak's office said.
A Hamas spokesman said any halt to militant rocket and mortar fire would require an end to Israel's crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip. "If they halt the aggression and the blockade, then Hamas will study these suggestions," said Mushir Masri.

Any cease-fire between Israel and Hamas would face questions about its long-term viability. In the past, Hamas has been unable or unwilling to rein in all the militants, some of which belong to different factions. Israel has angered the Palestinians by continuing to target its leaders and by maintaining a blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"It's certainly difficult for Hamas because, having witnessed the losses that they have just suffered on large scale, their credibility is on the line and they're not going to easily agree to a cease-fire that goes back to the conditions that prevailed before, after all these losses," said Shibley Telhami, professor of political science at the University of Maryland and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. "So, we're likely to see more bloodshed, and I think that is where we are in a way, events on the ground are going to dictate."

Israel's military, meanwhile, pressed on, sending warplanes to strike a Gaza government complex that includes the ministries of interior, foreign affairs and justice. Bombs ripped the tops and sides from buildings that had already been evacuated and left fires blazing in upper floors.

It was the largest government target hit so far and involved the largest number of bombs dropped in a single strike - at least 16 in all.

Most of the 364 people killed in Gaza since Saturday, according to Palestinian officials, were members of Hamas security forces, but the number included at least 64 civilians, according to U.N. figures.

The airstrikes have sent the people of densely populated Gaza on a zigzagging desperate search for safer ground - hard to find with no way out of the blockaded territory.

"I don't know what's safe anymore," said university student Rasha Khaldeh of Gaza City. She fled her home, fearing Israel would target her Hamas neighbors, then had to leave her uncle's house because of nearby shelling. She listens intently for the approach of pilotless Israeli drones.

During brief lulls between airstrikes, Gazans tentatively ventured into the streets to buy goods and collect belongings from homes they had abandoned after Israel's aerial onslaught began Saturday.

The campaign has brought a new reality to southern Israel, too, where one-tenth of the country's population of 7 million has suddenly found itself within rocket range.

"It's very scary," said Yaacov Pardida, a 55-year-old resident of Ashdod, southern Israel's largest city, which was hit Monday. "I never imagined that this could happen, that they could reach us here."

Israel's military said it hit 31 targets on Tuesday, including a Cabinet building, rocket-launching sites, and places were missiles were being built. Some of the hits on sites with weapons stockpiles triggered secondary explosions.

The question still hanging over the Israeli operation is how it can halt rocket fire. Israel has never found a military solution to the barrage of missiles. The "Iron Dome," a system to guard against short-range missiles, will take years to build.

Beyond delivering Hamas a deep blow and protecting border communities, the assault's broader objectives remained cloudy. Israeli President Shimon Peres acknowledged the challenge, saying the operation was unavoidable but more difficult than many people anticipated.

"War against terrorists is harder in some aspects than fighting armies," Peres said.

[antoniof123]

Genocide it happens!

[myturn2kill]

Time to end the baby killing! I hope the Israeli state is serious.

[neoconrcrazy]

how does feel on the israeli yo-yo?

troops massing on gazan border?

300 dead, mostly civilians

now, we may halt bombing.....

this country is run by fanatics!

[trapbreaker]

300 dead, mostly civilians - - Posted by neoconRcrazy

From what the media says, most are Hamas militants, only 64 reported civilians. That per CBS and Fox.

[cbs_tom]

"Isn''''t it fitting that Bush''''s last major policy attempt, which was to have peace in the Mid East before he left office has failed miserably"
Posted by endrepubs at 12:09 PM : Dec 30, 2008
This has been the case for every President since and including President Carter.
The Palestinians (or pawns for the Islamic nations) do not want peace. This is a religious matter and not just a land matter. Just as other groups over the past 3000 years have tried to destroy the jew (history being the reference), so have the Islamic nations.
The muslim faith, much like communism and marxism appear to have great qualities until they have the power. The real evil seeps out at this time. The oppression that they place on their own and others has been shown.
Many insist and state that the god that the muslims worship is the same God that the Jewish and Christians worship. By studying and comparing the koran with the Bible, it is obvious that their god (allah) is not the same. Mereley stating that they are monotheistic does not make their god the same as the Christian and Jewish God.

Back to the point...
Must a nation surrender all of its'' sovereignty for peace?

[cdfoxtrot6]

300 dead, mostly civilians - - Posted by neoconRcrazy

From what the media says, most are Hamas militants, only 64 reported civilians. That per CBS and Fox.

Posted by Trapbreaker


On anything to do with Israel, American media basically puts out whatever the Israelis say, as if it were fact. It''s illogical that bombing highly populated urban areas won''t give rise to significant numbers of civilian victims. American media isn''t doing its job. Consider this one story, from the BBC (on it''s news website today):

"I was sleeping with my sisters and suddenly I woke up," Reem Baloosha, 13, told me, describing the night two days ago when her five sisters were killed in an Israeli air strike.

"I found myself under the rubble, the stones were crushing me. I looked around, my sister was under the rubble, she was dead."

I visited the family in Jabaliya refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The whole house is a pile of rubble. There is nothing but dust and stones, with a few girls'' clothes and school books.

The parents do not even have photos of their dead daughters, all their pictures were lost under the rubble.

Their father, Anwar, was sitting in a mourning tent. Their mother is in total shock. She is barely conscious. They seem to be too shocked even to cry.

[cdfoxtrot6]

Back to the point...
Must a nation surrender all of its'''' sovereignty for peace?

Posted by cbs_tom

Excellent point. That''s what the Palestinians were asked to do, in the non-offer that occurred at the end of Clinton''s time as president. A nation that didn''t control its own borders or airspace. A nation that would be denied the ability to defend itself. You say the Palestinians don''t want peace, but it is they who are suffering on a daily basis and they who have jumped through every possible hoop placed in front of them. They ditched Arafat, they held elections, they did all that could be reasonably expected of them. Their kids are denied by the Israelis an ability to take up scholarships in western universities. Meanwhile, the Israelis sip cappuccinos in their cafes, live in comparatively luxury accommodations and have all the freedom that anyone can have. It is the Israelis who don''t want peace, as that would mean giving up land. Land is more important to them.

[notblue]

What are the odds that Hamas will take this opportunity to stop launching rockets? LOL!

[trapbreaker]

Posted by cdfoxtrot6

CBS above: More than 370 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli air onslaught against Gaza''s Islamic Hamas rulers began Saturday, shortly after a rocky, six-month truce expired. Most were members of Hamas security forces but the number included at least 64 civilians, according to U.N. figures. Among those killed were two sisters, aged 4 and 11, who perished in an airstrike on a rocket squad in northern Gaza on Tuesday.

[notblue]

tapbreaker, yes it is unthinkable that these Muslim savages would purposely target and hide among innocent civilians but that is the nature of this evil scourge on civilized societies, these Islamic barbarians are the reason we must fight to destroy them.

[cbs_tom]

Posted by cbs_tom at 12:31 PM : Dec 30, 2008
---------
"Thus spake the NASCAR Bumpkin Jesus Nutball".
Posted by FloydZeppd at 12:33 PM : Dec 30, 2008
I won''t judge you personally, but what a cowardas and assumptive attempt at dialog. You only discredit yourself with your lack of facts and attempt at humor on behalf of others.

[notblue]

cbs_tom, that''s all floyd the terrorist has anymore, when something has no defense he just resorts to the same lame insults. He is an idiot, period.

[notblue]

beodizshazmi,is another classic example of the cancer the freeworld is presently fighting, these guys do not seem to comprenhend that their own responses midigate themselves. Keep up the good work idiot.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by endurorob at 12:44 PM : Dec 30, 2008

The Zionists controlled and controls America which controls the United Nations still today. America got Veto Power over any Anti-Israel resolution at the United Nations.

[lovegetpeace]

Israel must stop all Food, Water, Gasoline and Electricity Blockages or Embargo on Hamas for Hamas to have no Moral Grounds to bomb Israel.

[presjfk]

History has proven that an enemy must be utterly destroyed in order for there to be peace. Israel will sooner or later need to destroy Gaza to end the war.

[rando55]

Hamas and the Palestinian people are to blame for this. If they want peace they need to curb this kind of behavior from its people. They arent doing anything to stop these militants from launching rockets into Israel. Its like 4th of July to these people with illegal fireworks. Its illegal but they still do it. Hamas encourages it. Israel has a right to do what it is doing in my opinion.

If you have neighbors who throw a party everynight and toss empty containers in your yard day after day and you talk with the owners about it time and time again and the partiers still keep doing it because no one stops them, eventually you are going to deal with it yourself. Hamas isnt tossing containers into Israels yard, they are tossing rockets continually, and Israel is doing something about it.

Every other Middle eastern nation is condemning th attacks obviously, but none will come to aid because they know the Palestinian people brought it on themselves. Even if civilians reported the incidents to officials, it probably goes nowhere becasue Hamas wont stop it.

[windmaster12]

Simple solution stop sending rockets and suicide bombers and Israel will not Retaliate--
Egypt and Jordan act civilized and their is no Israeli attack upon them--

Hamas is Stupid
if you want blood on your citizens attack Israel
Simple Cause and Response
If you want Peace Give peace

Take a lesson from Jordan and Egypt
They want nothing to do with The Terrorists!!!

And so live in Peace___

[cbs_tom]

"TIME TO WIPE ISRAEL OFF THE MAP - THEY ARE THE CAUSE OF WORLD SUFFERINGS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS".
Posted by sidekick2009 at 12:52 PM : Dec 30, 2008
Of course, a people with less than 1% of the population has caused all of the world sufferings for thousands of years! Do you know how you sound? They have never expanded beyond their original land and only occupy land in which they have defeated an enemy.
p.s. The occupied land (gaza, golan heights, and west bank) are all within the original land of Israel.
The nations around Israel have never attempted a real peace (as defined by western standards).

[jerr11]

This whole HAMAS thing is a farce.

HAMAS was created by MOSSAD to create endless opportunities for Israel to steal more land from the Palestinians and kill more Palestinians with impunity.

First Warsaw ghetto, now Gaza Ghetto.

[lovegetpeace]

Folks,
On May 15, 1948, the American President advocated the creation of the State of Israel in the heart of the Muslim Middle-East. 2 years later, 4.5 millions Palestinians were forced out of their homes and lands without compensation.

I am not going to say that this is the 1st act of Terrorism but I will say America is bleeding Treasury and blood because of one religious decision 60 years ago. This bleeding keeps exploding with our continue UnConditional Support to Israel. I cannot believe Americans cares much more about Israel than of America.

2 weeks after 9/11, Osama Bin Ladin released his 1st video. In the video, he clearly listed the top 3 reasons for bombing the twin towers. The 1st reason was the US military base 60 miles from their Muslim''''s holy Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The 2nd reason was the Palestine crisis. Now, Bush wants a State of Palestine. Osama is really winning BIG here.

On Osama Bin Ladin 2nd released video, Osama states that they will destroy America Economically and not Militarily. So far, Osama is really winning Big here.

According to our US State Department, Anti-Semitics is exploding around the world:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1334791720080314?feedType=RSSfeedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

What a different world for America if the State of Israel was not born on May 15, 1948.

[wardoglrs]

The dumbest thing anyone can do is believe the MSM. Look at the history figure it out people.
even the real jew is concern for there future because of these Zionist
http://www.haaretz.com/

[roscoe2400-2009]

What a different world for America if the State of Israel was not born on May 15, 1948.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lovegetpeace at 01:01 PM : Dec 30, 2008

You''ve been posting this for a couple of days now.

So, your point is ?????

The past is the past.

Where do you go from here????

[trapbreaker]

America got Veto Power over any Anti-Israel resolution at the United Nations. - Posted by lovegetpeace

The U.S. has veto power in the Securty Council. Any General Assembly resolution is non-binding, but there is no need for the U.S. to take any action on a non-binding resolution. Veto is something one of the big 5 uses to keep a resolution from becoming a binding action.

[abrame]

Posted by lovegetpeace

Traitor to the USA, engaged in treason.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by roscoe2400 at 01:14 PM : Dec 30, 2008

2 peace.

[platteman]

Don''t stop the bombing. Keep it up until every building is destroyed then push all the rubble into the ocean and then build an island for Hamas to live on. Make sure it is far enough into the sea so any rockets go up and come back down on Hamass.
Keep bombing them until you get a white flag. No surrender, don''t stop until they do.

[abrame]

Posted by lovegetpeace

Traitor to the USA, engaged in treason

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by Trapbreaker at 01:16 PM : Dec 30, 2008

Wow, how does this news change my point of Veto Power at the United Nations.

[cbsblogger]

History has proven that an enemy must be utterly destroyed in order for there to be peace. Israel will sooner or later need to destroy Gaza to end the war.

Posted by presjfk at 12:57 PM : Dec 30, 2008
====================================

Are you saying then that vice versa is a possible outcome too?

[roscoe2400-2009]

2 peace.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lovegetpeace at 01:17 PM : Dec 30, 2008


Go for it!

Make it happen!

[abrame]

Posted by lovegetpeace

You''ve been posting this for a couple of days now.
Posted by roscoe2400 at 01:14 PM : Dec 30, 2008

Apparently you missed the traitors post yesterday where the traitor lovegetpeace admitted they were posting here for the explicit purpose of making the USA lose. That''s deliberate treason.

So you are debating with a traitor to the USA engagd in treason

It''s one thing to have an opinion but a totally different thing to engage in activities to fight against the USA.

[babooph]

Now that 3rd world angry ones know the modern techi western miltary is set to knock down big targets-they stay very small& just grind the big $ system down.With a billion Islamics wanting Israel not controlloing the area,it will only be a matter of time......

[cbs_tom]

"Thus spake the Jesus Nutball singinrick".
Posted by FloydZeppd at 01:21 PM : Dec 30, 2008
You have a real problem with Jesus, don''t you?

[abrame]

Posted by lovegetpeace
Traitor to the USA, engaged in treason.
Posted by Abrame at 01:19 PM : Dec 30, 2008
-----------

Thus spake the Jesus Nutball singinrick.
Posted by FloydZeppd

Apparently you missed the traitors post yesterday where the traitor lovegetpeace admitted they were posting here for the explicit purpose of making the USA lose. That''s deliberate explicit treason.

So you are supporting a traitor to the USA engaged in treason

It''s one thing to have an opinion but a totally different thing to engage in activities to fight against the USA.

And no, I am not singinrick who has more morality in his little finger than you do in your entire hate drooling anti-everything life. Looks like oyur mentally ill mind reading failed again.

You seem to fail a lot, especially since you side with a traitor who admitted to being engaged in purposeful treason against the USA.

[roscoe2400-2009]

Doesn''''t matter as long as we''''re not NASCAR Bumpkin Fake Republicans.....


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by FloydZeppd at 01:23 PM : Dec 30, 2008


You''re so ignorant. Most all of your Jewish brothers are Democrats!

[roscoe2400-2009]

Somebody nearby needs to kick Israel in the kahoonas.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by sockpuppet4 at 01:29 PM : Dec 30, 2008

Hamas can hold their own. They''ll do quite well now that they have nearly all of Gaza to use as weapons. Plenty of buted up chunks of concrete and lots of small rocks to throw!

Besides that, nearly all of their Arab brothers are flocking to their aid--- bringing more rocks!

[trapbreaker]

Wow, how does this news change my point of Veto Power at the United Nations. by lovegetpeace

LOL _ You folks only praise and abide by the U.N. when it condemns Israel. When it comes to establishing Israel by the U.N. your Pal buddies answer that with suicide bombers and rockets.

[trapbreaker]

Somebody needs to NUKE Tel Aviv and wipe Israel off the map once and for all. - Posted by sidekick2009

Obama says he would react to that will all the power of the U.S.

.

[abrame]

You''''ll never get that Mosque off the Temple Mount ricky.

Posted by FloydZeppd

I''m not ricky. You are mentally ill with paranoia.

Apparently you missed the traitors post yesterday where the traitor lovegetpeace admitted they were posting here for the explicit purpose of making the USA lose. That''s deliberate explicit treason.

So you are supporting a traitor to the USA engaged in treason.

It''s not them exercising their right to an opinion but a totally different thing to engage in activities to fight against the USA.

And no, I am not singinrick but since you are mentally ill your grandiose but unfortunate failure at mind reading shows intellectual incompetence.

You seem to fail a lot, especially since you side with a traitor who admitted to being engaged in purposeful treason against the USA.

Keep on faining Zepp, it''s not me failing - it''s you. Keep mind reading loser.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by Speakinup21 at 01:38 PM : Dec 30, 2008

Hamas Rockets Israel because Israel Blocked or Embargoed Hamas the day after Hamas won Clean and Free elections.

Israel must stop the blockage of Hamas for Hamas to have No Moral Grounds to rocket Israel.

[oregonrocks2]

The fact is that jews have a history in israel area for 8000 years. Palestinians also have a long history and deserve a homeland. BUT hamas is a terrorist orginization that does not care about the palestinian people - if they did they would not keep firing rockets into israel. The only way this *** will end is when both sides decide to stop the violence and have a true desire to live in peace.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by Speakinup21 at 01:38 PM : Dec 30, 2008

Hamas Rockets Israel because Israel Blocked or Embargoed Hamas the day after Hamas won Clean and Free elections.

Israel must stop the blockage of Hamas for Hamas to have No Moral Grounds to rocket Israel.

What good is for Hamas to stop rocketing Israel if Israel continues the Embargo of Hamas?

[abrame]

Posted by lovegetpeace

Traitor to the USA who admits to being engaged in treasonous behavior.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by Speakinup21 at 01:38 PM : Dec 30, 2008

Hamas Rockets Israel because Israel Blocked or Embargoed Hamas the day after Hamas won Clean and Free elections.

Israel must stop the blockage of Hamas for Hamas to have No Moral Grounds to rocket Israel.

What good is for Hamas to stop rocketing Israel if Israel continues the Embargo of Hamas?

[questionnews]

According to a CNN commentator, Hamas has been trying to get Israel into just this type of action for quite awhile. The past 6 months to a year things have been relatively calm in the region. Hamas has seen considerable reductions in funds from their middle eat financiers & a reduction in the number of recruits during that time. By provoking Israel into this action, Hamas benefits from increased money flowing to them & recruiting increases. They pointed out that Arafat was very successful using this tactic for the same purposes. Kind of a sick, but successful way to get people to send you cash.

[abrame]

You''ll never get that Mosque off the Temple Mount ricky.

Posted by FloydZeppd

I''m not ricky. You are mentally ill with control freak mind reading paranoia.

[roscoe2400-2009]

WHAT HAMAS GOVT YOU TALKING ABOUT? ISRAEL HAS ALREADY DESTROYED ALL THE HAMAS BUILDINGS THERE, THERE ARE NO GOVT IN PALESTINE....ISRAEL ATROCITIES ARE BEYOND WORDS...THESE IS GENOCIDE IN DISGUISED


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Posted by sidekick2009 at 01:22 PM : Dec 30, 2008


Hey moron--- your caps lock key is busted! Pass it out through the hole in the wall to one of your Hamas brothers---- he can throw at the first Israeli he can get close to.

[lovegetpeace]

Eliminate the State of Israel and all Terrorism cease to exist.

[trapbreaker]

What good is for Hamas to stop rocketing Israel if Israel continues the Embargo of Hamas? - - Posted by lovegetpeace

Not a single rocket has been fired by Fatah.