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Kerry proposes ceasefire plan, Hammond calls for end to fighting

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US Secretary of State John Kerry has reportedly tabled a proposal for a week-long humanitarian ceasefire as a prelude to a more concrete truce between Israel and Hamas.

Haaretz this morning reports that Kerry has drafted a proposal, which he has presented to both sides. Israel’s Security Cabinet is expected to discuss the initiative this afternoon with Kerry also awaiting a response from the Qatari and Turkish foreign ministers on behalf of Hamas.

Apparently, Kerry’s plan proposes a one-week temporary ceasefire during which time Israeli troops will still be permitted to locate and destroy tunnels constructed by Hamas to launch attacks into Israel. At the same time, Egypt will mediate on talks between Israel and Hamas on a more permanent arrangement, with help from the Palestinian Authority. A third element of the proposal would see United States, European Union and the United Nations Secretary General provide guarantees that issues important to each side will be dealt with – namely Israel’s demand to disarm Gaza of rockets and tunnels and Hamas’s demand to remove restrictions on Gaza’s borders and funds for reconstruction.

Kerry reportedly spoke extensively with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders prior to tabling his proposal.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in an attempt to help boost international moves towards a ceasefire. Hammond stressed the need to end the violence and said, “Hamas must agree to a humanitarian ceasefire without preconditions for the sake of the people in Gaza.” He also stressed, “that this current cycle of violence was triggered by Hamas firing hundreds of rockets at Israeli towns and cities indiscriminately.” Speaking to Sky News, Hammond urged Israel “to do everything they can in exercising their legitimate right to self-defence to minimize the casualties that are caused,” warning that as civilian casualties in Gaza mount, “Western public opinion is becoming … less and less sympathetic to Israel.”