Israeli Security Cabinet to Meet Tuesday on Gaza Ceasefire

Hamas, Netanyahu Both Open to Egyptian Plan

Israel’s Security Cabinet has agreed to meet Tuesday morning to discuss a new ceasefire plan on the Gaza Strip, tentatively set to begin at 9:00 AM on Tuesday. The plan is the first meaningful attempt to end a week of violence that has left nearly 200 Palestinians dead.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says he has yet to receive the details of the proposal, but that he is prepared to discuss the ceasefire, and doesn’t want any further escalation of violence. He did however rule out any concessions on the part of the Palestinians. Other Hamas officials suggested they would oppose any ceasefire that didn’t include terms for a broader truce.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is supporting the proposal as well, and asking the cabinet to vote in favor of a ceasefire. There are some outspoken opponents of the deal, however.

Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon is not only against the ceasefire, but angry that it was even proposed, saying Egypt’s proposal was a “slap in the face to the citizens of Israel.”

Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett has also promised to vote against the deal, saying he wants a full-scale military invasion of the strip and will accept nothing less. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also vowed a “no” vote.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.