Perhaps in an effort to keep himself in the media spotlight, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) following a Monday cabinet meeting in Ramallah opted for the second time in as many days to announce that he is working with Egyptian officials towards securing a cease-fire in Gaza.

The PA chairman made a similar announcement following a meeting on Monday in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, indicating that Olmert is committed to such an agreement but officials in the Prime Minister’s Office tell a different story – stating the prime minister did not agree to such an arrangement.

Officials point out that Israel is always willing to halt military operations in Gaza, but such a move can only following a cessation of attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)