Off Again, On Again, Gone Again, Truce Again,
Name of game played again in Cairo my Friend,
Which over time seems never able to finally End,
Since Hamas Never Seems To Truly Offer to Bend,
Both of The Negotiating Parties Ever Trying to Win,
But Hamas Better Say “YES” Before Elections Begin,
If Netanyahu Heads New Government IDF will Go In!
The negotiations for a truce between Hamas and Israel, being bartered in Cairo by the Egyptian government, is a minute to minute, off again and gone again situation, which gives routinely conflicting daily reports of success and failure over and over again.
However, this has always been the case in the history of dealing with any of the terrorist groups. I do believe an agreement is likely to be reached before the Israeli general election on February 10th because at this time, unless something out of the ordinary occurs, the possibility that Netanyahu will head the next government looms heavily on the minds of the occupants of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu is not one of California Governor Arnold’s “sissy-men,” and will not hesitate to sent the IDF into the Strip on another full-blown rampage.
As I type this Blog at noon (CST) the situation is “off again” and Hamas is “gone again,” but who knows, by tomorrow Hamas may be “on again.” They had better get “on and stay on again” before February 10th.
February 5, 2009
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
Begin Excerpt from Haaretz via Independent Media Review Institute (IMRI)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hamas: Draft for Gaza truce has been reached
By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents
Last update – 08:38 05/02/2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1061764.html
Egypt and Hamas have reached a draft agreement on a cease-fire with Israel
in the Gaza Strip, a representative from the Islamist group told the
Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram on Thursday.
The representative, Salah al-Bardawil, said that the draft stipulates a
year-and-a-half long truce between Hamas and Israel. It also includes the
opening of all border crossings for 80 percent of goods.
Israel would need
to clarify exactly what type of goods it would allow in, Bardawil said.
Bardawil told the Egyptian newspaper that according to the draft agreement,
the Rafah crossing would be closed from time to time. He also said that
Israel rejected a proposal to station international observers on the Rafah
border.
Israeli security officials said Wednesday they believed Egypt and Hamas were
making significant progress in drafting terms for a long-term lull in
fighting in the Gaza Strip, but that a number of unresolved issues remain
between the two sides.
Egypt had set Thursday as the target date for signing the agreement, but the
differences in opinion mean it may take several more days or even longer
before a deal is reached, with all clarifications set.
Israel is not participating in the talks, but is expected to arrive at a
verbal agreement with Egypt that would allow the lull to continue at a later
date.
Egypt has been push ing for an agreement that
includes a lull for a year and
a half, while Israel prefers to see one lasting only a year, and in the
framework of a non-binding agreement.
A key issue in the negotiations is the opening of Rafah crossing, which
Hamas is seeking to have opened completely, with Turkish troops monitoring
its operation, in accordance with a plan drafted by the United States three
years ago.
Egypt is opposed to such a move, but is nevertheless seeking to
place a force loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the crossing,
a proposal Hamas has thus far resisted.
Another outstanding issue is the Israeli request to create a half-kilometer
buffer zone in the area known as the “security parameter” on the Palestinian
side of the border fence with Israel. Israel is seeking to prevent the entry
of armed militants to the area to combat the placement
of explosive devices
or the digging of tunnels there.
Another critical issue involves the link between the release of captive
Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit with the lull and the opening of
crossings. Israel is demanding that even a partial opening of the crossings
be dependent on progress towards Shalit’s release, for example providing a
clear sign the soldier is still alive. Hamas has until now opposed such a
link.
Egypt has expressed uncertainty in relation to its capacity to force
Hamas into such an agreement, but promised Israel it would make efforts
towards that end.
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