BICOM

The Israeli government’s inner cabinet forum of nine met through the night to consider their options as international pressure continues to grow to establish a ceasefire. Haaretz quoted Egyptian sources saying a deal is close. According to an unconfirmed report by Al Arabiya, the deal would bring a cessation of fire for 24 to 48 hours followed by a more substantial deal, guaranteed by Egypt, in which Hamas and other armed groups would commit to a longer term truce in return for lifting restrictions on the crossings into Gaza. However, Israel is continuing to try and build pressure on Hamas with a significant number of Israeli troops now massed on Gaza’s borders making final preparations for a ground operation.

According to Israeli reports, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will arrive in Israel on a surprise visit this evening. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will arrive in Israel during the day following meetings in Cairo. He has called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel not to launch a ground operation.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels yesterday called for all attacks to “end immediately” but also strongly condemned the rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip, stating that, “Israel has the right to protect its population from these kinds of attack.”

Briefing journalists on a conference call yesterday, BICOM Senior Visiting Fellow Michael Herzog stressed that Israel’s goals were relatively modest, seeking quiet for its citizens, rather than the toppling of Hamas. He also stressed the significance of Egypt’s role in mediating a deal which meets the needs of Israel, Egypt and Hamas. Israel will insist that any deal comes with assurances that rocket smuggling under the Egypt-Gaza border will be stopped, and that Hamas fully enforce the ceasefire on smaller factions in the Gaza Strip.