As the war in Gaza entered its sixth day, diplomatic attempts to reach a ceasefire intensified on Thursday. Security sources emphasize that the first stage of bombing Gaza has almost reached completion and that troops are ready to enter Gaza if necessary.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has appointed advisor Shalom Turgeman as head of a team to consider ceasefire initiatives. Israel demands that any ceasefire include several conditions: An immediate cessation of all terror emanating from Gaza, a cessation of all arms smuggling into Gaza – and most importantly – an international peacekeeping force in Gaza to ensure that Hamas fulfills these conditions.
On Wednesday Hamas officials expressed an interest in a ceasefire. Hamas head Ismael Haniyeh said that Hamas would consider a ceasefire if Israel would cease attacks and open Gaza border crossings. Also, in a separate statement, Hamas spokesman Imman Teheh repeated these demands. It remains to be seen whether Hamas will agree to an international peacekeeping force.
Meanwhile, the return of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit remains a point of contention within Israel. The government has not yet officially made his return part its ceasefire demands, but government officials emphasized that the issue will be an integral part of any ceasefire agreement. The Movement for Gilad’s Return sent an urgent letter Wednesday to Olmert demanding Shalit be part of any ceasefire agreement. “This is the time for our leaders to take responsibility and demand Gilad Shalit’s return as the first condition of any ceasefire,” they wrote.
Olmert spoke Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice and explained Israel’s demands for a ceasefire. He also spoke with U.S. President George Bush, who said that Hamas must stop all rocket fire as the first condition of any ceasefire.
A ceasefire initiative is also being promoted by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who strongly criticized Israel for beginning the military operation. Erdogan traveled Wednesday to Syria and Jordan to discuss the situation and is expected to meet Thursday in Egypt with President Hosni Mubarak.
Israel's Security Council met Wednesday and rejected the French proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, saying it does not serve Israel’s interests. Despite the government's rejection of the proposal, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was scheduled to fly to France Thursday to meet with French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner about the possibility of reaching a ceasefire acceptable to Israel.
After six days of bombing, security sources emphasized that the first stage of the Gaza campaign has almost reached completion. Ground forces are in place and ready to begin the second stage of fighting, a ground attack on Hamas forces. There are a number of variables that will determine whether that ground invasion will take place, among them the success or failure of diplomatic initiatives for a ceasefire.