Islam permits this type of ceasefire as a temporary cessation of hostilities until one side feels that it is strong enough to resume the fight. The Israeli Government has never been an advocate of such an arrangement, in the knowledge that it will be used to strengthen the terrorist organizations and enable them to prepare for a renewed attack against Israel.
When the issue first arose, six months ago, Israel demanded that then-PA prime minister Abu Mazen totally disarm the terrorist groups and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. It now demands the same of his successor Abu Ala - who has said, however, that he does not plan to militarily confront the terrorist factions.
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman announced today that Egypt has a plan of its own for a ceasefire. He said, however, that his country would rather not force its opinion on the sides and hopes that they can reach an agreement on their own.
The terrorists say they demand that Israel cease all its military activities against them and stop building the partition fence. Hamas adds a demand for the PA to disassociate itself from the Geneva understandings. Israel, for its part, has not carried out any targeted killings of terrorist leaders in six weeks. The bottom line, therefore, is that a hudna agreement is expected to be finalized by Sunday or Monday.
When the issue first arose, six months ago, Israel demanded that then-PA prime minister Abu Mazen totally disarm the terrorist groups and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. It now demands the same of his successor Abu Ala - who has said, however, that he does not plan to militarily confront the terrorist factions.
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman announced today that Egypt has a plan of its own for a ceasefire. He said, however, that his country would rather not force its opinion on the sides and hopes that they can reach an agreement on their own.
The terrorists say they demand that Israel cease all its military activities against them and stop building the partition fence. Hamas adds a demand for the PA to disassociate itself from the Geneva understandings. Israel, for its part, has not carried out any targeted killings of terrorist leaders in six weeks. The bottom line, therefore, is that a hudna agreement is expected to be finalized by Sunday or Monday.