About 50 minutes ago Israel accepted a cease fire proposed by the Egyptian Government to end the fighting between it and Hamas, however, Hamas rejected the cease fire, which would have taken effect at 9 am Israel time. To my pro-Palestinian friends, I must ask: now do you see how disinterested the Palestinians and Hamas are in peace with Israel? Do you now see how badly Israel wants it? Let me ask again, why do you have pity for those who reject a peaceful solution that would end the bloodshed? If Israel was so evil, why would it IMMEDIATELY approve a peaceful solution if they were or are hellbent on oppression? Your arguments are done.
Israeli Security Cabinet accepts Egypt's proposal for Gaza cease-fire | Fox News
srael's Security Cabinet has approved a cease-fire plan proposed by Egypt aimed at ending a week of conflict in and around the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials said the proposed truce was voted on at Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv minutes before it was due to take effect at 9 a.m. local time (2 a.m. Eastern Time) Tuesday.
There was no immediate word from the Islamic militant group Hamas about whether they would accept the proposal. Earlier Tuesday, the group's armed wing reportedly vowed to reject the cease-fire, saying on its official website that it was "an initiative of kneeling and submission." The statement from the al-Qassam Brigades vowed that "our battle with the enemy continues, and will increase in ferocity and intensity."
However, Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top leader in Gaza, confirmed there was "diplomatic movement" in a speech broadcast Monday on Al-Jazeera.
The proposed cease-fire would go into effect within 12 hours of "unconditional acceptance" by the two sides, according to a statement by Egypt's Foreign Ministry. That would be followed by the opening of Gaza's border crossings and talks in Cairo between the sides within two days.
Gaza's crossings should be opened for people and goods "once the security situation becomes stable," according to a copy of the proposal obtained by The Associated Press.
Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said there is "no alternative but return to the truce" of November 2012, and added that Egypt contacted all the parties, including the Palestinian leadership, different Palestinian factions, and Israeli authorities in addition to Arab and international parties. Such contacts led to shaping up the proposal which called for cease-fire.
"Egypt stresses the international responsibility toward what is happening in Palestine," he said.
Egypt, the first Arab state to reach peace with Israel, often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli Security Cabinet accepts Egypt's proposal for Gaza cease-fire | Fox News