Following less than successful talks in Cairo, Ramallah and Jerusalem, the parties on Wednesday night the eve of 18 Menachem Av agreed to a five-day ceasefire extension. In Israel it is reported that US President Barak Obama took a break from his vacation to phone Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to pressure him into accepting a ceasefire, expressing the White House’s support for the Egyptian peace initiative. The US leader told the prime minister he hopes a long term agreement will be reached.

Relations between Jerusalem and Washington are not good at present, especially amid reports President Obama blocked a shipment of hellfire missiles to Israel, missiles that are used on Apache helicopter gunships.

Prior to the ending of the previous ceasefire Hamas renewed rocket fire into southern Israel. The terror organization remains defiant, repeatedly stating if Israel does not agree to its demands, the response will be renewed rocket fire and warfare. Playing the good guy bad guy game, Hamas denied any connection to the rocket fire, blaming one of the endless numbers of terrorist organizations that operate under its wing.

Before the agreement was reached, the PA (Palestinian Authority) delegation canceled a press conference. The delegation that traveled to Cairo was blaming Israel for the lack of agreement. PA negotiators blame the Israelis for leaving Cairo without discussing many of the issues that were on the table.

In Israel, a number of cabinet ministers have voiced concern in the media, stating they are not being briefed regarding talks in Cairo. They feel the Security Cabinet is keeping them in the dark.

In the meantime, the IDF is not too trusting; unwilling to be caught off guard. Thousands of reservists were called to duty on Wednesday, some only released about ten days earlier. They are standing by near the Gaza border should an order for resumed fighting be given.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)