Gaza Strip: Hamas leaves Israel with few options
A unilateral ceasefire by Israel, the report says, may also not serve the purpose as Hamas might continue the fire and restart tunnel building.
Hamas leader Kheled Mashaal has given enough indications that the shelling at the Gaza Strip is not likely to end anytime soon. According to experts, both the military and political wings of Hamas have backed the plan mooted by Mashaal that in the absence of full lifting of the blockade on Strip, Hamas will not cede an inch for any ceasefire talks.
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While Israel looks at a possibility of Hamas halting its fire, surrendering or moderating its demands, Hamas will not accept anything less from Egypt and Israel with Gaza public backing it, according to Times of Israel. Residents, the report says, are of the view that a status quo is not an option, rather they want some real change.
With very few options left for Israel, such as expanding ground operations, which can see killing of more of soldiers, and holding to its current position a few kilometers into the Strip that can also be risky, Hamas looks to have an upper hand.
A unilateral ceasefire by Israel, the report says, may also not serve the purpose as Hamas might continue the fire and restart tunnel building.
As for any unilateral ceasefire by Isreal, Hamas has indicated that it will judge at an appropriate time.
Conflict toll reaches 800
Meanwhile, the toll in the coastal enclave of the Gaza Strip in the ongoing Israeli offensive has escalated to 800, with no signs of a ceasefire to halt the violence.
According to officials, an Israeli airstrike on Thursday hit three houses in Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, killing 10 Palestinians, including an infant, and injuring 15, Xinhua reported.
Also Thursday, four Israeli tanks shelled a school run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun which killed 16 civilians and injured dozens who had taken refuge there.
Official: Israel Cabinet to discuss cease-fire
An Israeli defense official has said the Security Cabinet is meeting to discuss international cease-fire efforts, but also the option of expanding its eight-day-old ground operation in Gaza, a Jerusalem report said.
He spoke on condition of anonymity because Friday's deliberations are taking place behind closed doors. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no immediate comment
Protect Palestinians in Gaza: Jordanian king
Jordan's King Abdullah II called on the international community to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza and stop Israel's ongoing offensive on the coastal enclave, a report adds from Amman
At a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, the king said that Jordan will continue to coordinate with the Palestinians and all parties involved to end Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip.