That picture is a screenshot of an Israel-related email that I get every morning. I sure hope Israeli officials manage to convince Hamas to extend the ceasefire…
[Amos] Gilad is the Defense Ministry point man on relations with Egypt and was the architect of the current cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, which is slated to expire on December 19. His visit to Egypt was used to discuss a wide-range of issues as well as explore the possibility of extending the cease-fire and renewing the negotiations for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit.
… lest Hamas do something crazy like firing rockets at Israel:
Two Qassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed near Sderot and in Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council territory on Thursday… Meanwhile, attacks on the western Negev from Gaza continue, and one rocket was fired Wednesday night and landed in an open field near the Eshkol Regional Council. No one was injured and no damage was caused.
As for Gilad’s actual odds of getting Hamas to extend the ceasefire past Dec. 19: no. But at least Western foreign policy sophisticates are convinced that engagement will work because Hamas is divided. Neither of those are technically “true” as such. But wouldn’t it be great if they were?
References:
* Secret meeting on ‘calm’ held in Egypt [JPost]
* 2 Qassams land in western Negev [YNet]
* Hamas not to renew ceasefire [YNet]
* In last meeting, PM, Bush sing praises [JPost]
* Hamas leaders abroad question group’s iron grip on Gaza [Ha'aretz]
Previously:
* Hamas Now Threatening To Brutally Execute Shalit Unless Israel Releases 350 Ultra-Violent Terrorists (Plus: "Road Map Could Become Map Of Bloodshed")
* Gaza’s Booming Economy – Underground Mall System, Hundreds Of Supermarkets, Latest Fashions (Plus: New Gaza Tunnel Wasn’t For Smuggling)
* Hamas: Of Course We’ll Never Stop Attacking "Zionist Enemies Of God"
