Yesterday, day twenty of Operation Protective Edge, the White House demanded an immediate, unconditional cease-fire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to US President Barack Obama last night and the two leaders discussed the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Barack told Netanyahu that any long-term solution had to ensure that the terrorist organization would be disarmed and that the Gaza Strip would be demilitarized.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council issued a statement calling for an "immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip to last for the duratiuon of the Muslim festival holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which ends the month-long Ramadan fast, "and beyond."
Following the telephone conversation between Obama and Netanyahu, the White House in Washington issued the following statement: “President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke again today by phone about the situation in Gaza. The President underscored the United States’ strong condemnation of Hamas’ rocket and tunnel attacks against Israel and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself. The President also reiterated the United States’ serious and growing concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“Building on Secretary Kerry’s efforts, the President made clear the strategic imperative of instituting an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire that ends hostilities now and leads to a permanent cessation of hostilities based on the November 2012 ceasefire agreement. The President reaffirmed the United States’ support for Egypt’s initiative, as well as regional and international coordination to end hostilities. The President underscored the enduring importance of ensuring Israel’s security, protecting civilians, alleviating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, and enacting a sustainable ceasefire that both allows Palestinians in Gaza to lead normal lives and addresses Gaza’s long-term development and economic needs, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority. The President stressed the US view that, ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza.”
Hamas fired 60 rockets at Israel yesterday, continuing to launch them even after it announced a unilateral cease-fire. Last night however was quiet, with no significant security incidents reported. The IDF meanwhile continues to demolish terror tunnels in the Gaza Strip. This morning, the Iron Dome system intercepted one rocket fired at Ashkelon.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 28, 2014
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