Seeking an end, Israel expected to hold its fire without deal

Despite terror attack in Tel Aviv & massive rocket fire from Gaza, Israel expected to announce it is ceasing attacks.

Jerusalem assumes  gesture will pressure terror groups into entering ceasefire.

By Ron Ben-Yishai

 

Following a week in which hundreds of rockets were fired from Gaza and just hours after a terror attack on a Tel Aviv bus left nearly 30 people injured, Israel is expected to announce that it is holding its fire and ending Operation Pillar of Defense, which began with targeted the killing of top Hamas commander Ahmed Jabari.

Strike in Gaza – Photo: AFP

Officials estimated Wednesday evening that if Israel holds fire, Hamas and other Palestinian groups in Gaza will face heavy pressure to do so as well.

The arrangement is thought to be almost identical to that which ended Operation Cast Lead some fours years ago: Israel will apparently unilaterally declare a unilateral ceasefire that isn’t stipulated on an agreement with Hamas. The Israeli government believes this will pressure Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine to hold their fire as well.

Photo: Gettyimages

IDF artillery Photo: Gettyimages

However, it appears that Israeli agreements with Egypt and the US regarding ways to stop the smuggling of weapons from Sinai to Gaza will be put on paper. Israel will also agree to ease the naval blockade after the cessation of violence.

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4310072,00.html