Hamas might renew the truce!
Hamas might renew the truce!
Hamas might renew the truce!

Awesome! Does that mean they've stopped firing rockets at Israeli schools and hospitals?

No actually they fired around 20 rockets and missiles yesterday and are now at over 60 in the last 48 hours. Which wouldn't make sense except for how they're trumpeting that they never actually considered renewing the ceasefire:

Hamas lawmaker on Wednesday denied reports that Hamas was ready to renew ceasefire with Israel. Mushier al-Masri, a member of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) said the reports "aim at weakening the Palestinian resistance powers that reject the free lull." Al-Masri was referring to reports by Egypt's al-Ahram newspaper which quoted Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas leader, as saying that his movement was ready to renew the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, which expired last Friday, with the same terms. "What was reported by the al-Ahram is untrue and not based on what Zahar said," al-Masri added.

Oh. Well that sucks. But at least they got a few news cycles of "look how reasonable the Palestinians are" - right up to Christmas Eve when people stop paying attention. $3 billion to the Palestinians in 2008. I'd say it worked out well.

The political pressure on Barak is getting pretty considerable. If Israel does invade I hope it happens before New Years. I'm desperate for easy posts and a few "this is just like what they did to Jesus" DKos comments would be welcome low-hanging fruit. I'd say "HuffPo comments" but no way their admins are dumb enough to keep comments open.

References:
* Hamas 'might renew' truce in Gaza [BBC]
* Hamas says open to new truce in Gaza [Reuters]
* IDF troops kill three Gaza militants at border fence [Ha'aretz]
* Militants barrage Israel with mortars, rockets [AP]
* Gaza militants pound Israel with rockets, mortars [AFP]
* Hamas lawmaker denies readiness to renew ceasefire [Xinhua]
* French diplomat: Palestinians received $3 billion in foreign aid in 2008 [JPost]
* Lieberman: Fire Barak if he's delaying decisions on Gaza [YNet]

Previously:
* Hamas Celebrates Official End Of Ceasefire By Launching Rockets, Taking Pot Shots At Israeli Civilians
* Israeli Intel: Hamas Military Buildup "Most Intensive In Modern History"
* Obligatory Post About WaPo's "Israel Should Lift Its Gaza Blockade" Editorial