The reported truce between Israel and Hamas contains three stages; with stage one to get underway on Thursday morning at 6:00AM. At that time, Hamas has committed to halt attacks in exchange for the IDF halting operations in Gaza.

According to the London-based Arabic language Al-Hayat, the three phases include the cessation of attacks, followed by Israel’s opening of the Karni and Sufah Crossings three days later assuming there are no violations during the initial days of the agreement.

The second stage will be implemented a week later, involving Israel lifting restrictions on most imports to Gaza, with the exception of raw materials which can be used to manufacture rockets.

Stage three is another week later, involving talks towards the reopening of the Rafiah Crossing to Egypt and new operating guidelines.

In what most intelligence community officials and senior IDF commanders view as an overly optimistic provision, if the truce lasts for six months, the cessation in attacks will transfer to Yehuda and Shomron.

Minister Chaim Ramon, a vice prime minister and a member of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s Kadima Party, expressed sharp opposition to the plan, telling a Haifa University audience on Tuesday that it represents a victory for “Islamic extremists” as was the case in Lebanon. Ramon added that the victory permits Hamas to represent itself as the legitimate leader of Gazans, who now live in Hamastan.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)