between a rock and a hard place

By the way, this unilateral ceasefire (from Israel) will have this effect:

A unilateral ceasefire would allow Israel to avoid agreeing concessions with Hamas, such as easing the 18-month-old blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has prevented medical aid and basic supplies reaching the Palestinians.

Israel has previously broken many agreements, including one whereby it said it would lift the blockade if a ceasefire were sustained. (June, 2008. See this post)

Hamas is also asking that the border with Rafah, Egypt be opened. The people of the Gaza Strip, at present, cannot leave or enter the territory. Gaza is about twice the size of Washington D.C. and its population is hemmed in by walls.

From the first link above, An unnamed Israeli official told the AFP news agency that Israeli troops would remain in Gaza in the event of any such ceasefire being called.

"If they [Hamas] decide to open fire, we will not hesitate to respond and continue the offensive," the official was quoted as saying.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, right? Both literally and figuratively. Also, all of the food supplies and medicine supplies in the UN compound were lost in the direct hit it took from the Israeli forces on Thursay (watch the video at the bottom of the article). The tunnels, which are a lifeline (and yes, through which weapons are also smuggled), will definitely have taken more than a severe battering from the bombardments, and further to that, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni signed a deal on Friday aimed at halting arms smuggling into Gaza as part of efforts to clinch a ceasefire. (so Israel negotiates with America, it's "unparalleled friend" to bring about a ceasefire?) Shell them into submission, then starve them to death. Is that the game plan?


An article from Australian ex-diplomat,Bruce Haig