Olmert rules out ceasefire with Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today ruled out ceasefire talks with Hamas, calling the country’s battle against the Islamic militant group a “true war”.
The Israeli army has been battling Hamas and other armed groups that frequently fire rockets into southern Israel. The army appears to have made substantial gains in recent weeks, and Olmert told his Cabinet there were no plans to slow down.
“Operations against terrorists will continue as they have been conducted for many months,” Olmert said. “There is no other way to describe what is happening in the Gaza Strip except as a true war between the Israeli army and terror groups. This war will continue.”
Gaza’s Hamas rulers have signaled readiness in recent days for reaching a ceasefire, and several Israeli Cabinet ministers have said the government should consider the offer.
The latest offer came in an interview published today with Hamas adviser Ahmed Youssef.
He said Hamas was prepared to reach a truce with Israel if it stopped the military campaign and opened crossings into the impoverished, isolated territory.
“We don’t object to a truce that ends the siege, but it should not be given gratis, and will not be open-ended,” Maan quoted Youssef as saying.
Israel must stop its military strikes, halt its assassinations of militants and ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza by opening crossings, he said.
