The deafening silence around the Hamas proposal for a 10-year truce
During its first 14 days, the Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip has left a toll of over 500 dead, the vast majority of whom civilians, and many more injured. The Israeli government has been quick to put the blame on Hamas, which has been echoed by Western media and governments, but much less noticed was a proposal put forward by Hamas and Islamic Jihad for a 10 year truce on the basis of 10 – very reasonable – conditions. The proposal was in essence in line with what many international experts as well as the United Nations have asked for years, and included some aspects that Israel had already considered as feasible requests in the past. An agreement on the basis of the Hamas proposal could not only stop the current round of hostilities but also pave the way towards a lasting solution of the conflict. The fact that Israel has shown no interest in considering this proposal leads one to wonder whether Israel really wants a long lasting resolution of the conflict. Above, Palestinian rescue workers search for survivors under the rubble of a house was destroyed by an Israeli missile strike, in Gaza City on Monday. Continue reading
