Some Misunderstandings of "Cease-Fire"

Well, it seems that both the Israeli gov't and the palestinian terrorist groups are using some strange, new definition of "cease-fire." Here are a series of articles from this morning's news:

First,

from YNet

:




Warring Hamas and Fatah factions in Gaza declared a cease-fire early Tuesday, set to go into effect at 3 am local time Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas announced.

... Zahar said clashes that have taken more than 60 lives are to halt, security forces are to return to their bases and suspects in killings are to be handed over. As he spoke, gunfire could still be heard in Gaza City.



I love that last sentence there. It just cracks me up.

Second,

also from YNet

:




Fighting raged in Gaza Tuesday morning despite a ceasefire declaration by warring factions.

Gunfire and explosions were audible in downtown Gaza City as gunmen from Fatah and Hamas ignored the ceasefire...



Well, at least they are consistent...

Third,

from Arutz Sheva

:


Eyewitnesses in Gaza reported exchanges of gunfire between Fatah and Hamas terrorists despite the latest ceasefire. Explosions were heard from Gaza City.







The ceasefire was supposed to go into effect at 3:00 AM on Tuesday. However, none of the steps included in the agreement, such as the release of hostages and dismantling of checkpoints, appear to have been taken at this time.



Yup. It seems that the palestinians keep agreements with each other about as well as they keep them with Israel. At least when people are consistent, you know where you stand with them.

Unless you are the Olmert government. And then you seem to think that all is just hunky-dory. Again,

from Arutz Sheva

:




Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has decided to avoid a large-scale military response to Monday morning’s terrorist attack in Eilat. Olmert expressed his wish to maintain a ceasefire with Gaza. He will meet Tuesday afternoon with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and top army officials to discuss Israel’s course of action in wake of the attack.




Mr. Prime Minister, there have been, since the "cease-fire" was declared in November, over 100 rocket hits, and now a suicide bombing, inside Israel. That is not a cease-fire. It is a terrorist campaign. Waiting almost 36 hours to even start deciding what to do in response will only confirm the enemy's belief that Israel is weak.



It is time to admit that there is no "cease-fire," and to act accordingly. The terrorists must be made to feel the punishment for every attack. Then, and only then, should Israel sit down to negotiate what concessions the palestinians are ready to make.