Hamas is sending mixed messages regarding any continuation of the Gaza ceasefire. Khaled Meshal, based in Damascus, is indicating there will be no renewal of the ceasefire agreement which is ending this week.

Hamas officials in Gaza however are sending a different message, indicating if Israel is willing to remain committed; it too will accept an extension of the ceasefire. However, there is pressure being exerted on Israel in the hope an extension of the ceasefire will result in Israel’s lifting of the embargo, the opening of border crossings, and the opening of the Rafiach Crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

On the Shalit front, Israel’s Channel 1 TV News reported on Sunday night  that with the present realities, the chances of the captive soldier being released are less than “nil at present”.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated “There is no ceasefire when they fire at us,” in her reference to statements from Hamas that it will not renew the ceasefire. Livni has been an ardent supporter of a military response to every rocket and mortar shell fired into southern Israel from northern Gaza. She has remained a major critic of Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s policy of restraint in the face of mounting attacks.

“The government is responsible to her citizens” she explained, and “a continuation of attacks will be met with a response”. She added that IDF can and will use the means at its disposal to restore order and halt attacks, stressing we cannot permit Hamas to continue to control events in Gaza.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)