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[Jandar]

Israelis deliver Gaza truce demands
Meanwhile, Iran president says: 'Not feasible' for Israel to live

AP 6:46 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2009

CAIRO, Egypt - A top Israeli envoy delivered his country's stance on a cease-fire agreement in Gaza to Egyptian mediators trying to seal a truce on Thursday. The Iranian president said the fighting showed Israel's continued existence in the region is "not feasible."

The development came as the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pressed Israel on a cease-fire, and Gulf leaders gathered in Saudi Arabia to discuss the conflict.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops pushed deeper into densely populated Gaza City on the 20th day of the offensive to rout out Hamas militants. Israeli tanks shelled the crowded downtown, sending terrified residents fleeing for cover.

An Israeli airstrike Thursday evening killed prominent Hamas figure Said Siam, and witnesses and U.N. officials said Israeli shells struck the United Nations headquarters building that serves as a shelter for hundreds of people, setting it ablaze.

The Israeli push ratcheted up pressure on Hamas to accept a proposed cease-fire. Egypt's proposal has centered on a temporary 10-day halt in fighting that would leave Israeli troops in place in Gaza while security arrangements are negotiated for border crossings to prevent weapons smuggling. Once that is done, Israeli troops would withdraw and the borders would be opened.

In the past two days, some Hamas officials have said the Egyptian proposal could be sealed soon. But on Thursday, the movement's top political leader, Khaled Mashaal, insisted its conditions for a cease-fire remained the same � including a demand for an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and opening of the crossings.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28680490

[Jandar]

Hamas offers Israel ceasefire

Hamas has offered Israel a year-long ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if Israel pulls its forces out within a week and reopens border crossings immediately.

Hamas and diplomatic sources said the truce would be renewable.

Earlier, the UN headquarters in Gaza were set ablaze during some of the heaviest attacks in the 20-day-old Israeli offensive.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) building was being used as a shelter by up to 700 civilians fleeing the bombardment of the Palestinian enclave when it was struck.

Spokesman Chris Gunness said: "Our compound in Gaza has now received three hits, reportedly of white phosphorus. Buildings in the compound are on fire, there are loaded fuel tankers nearby. Three people have been injured.

"It is not clear at this stage if they are UNWRA staff or some of the 700 or so civilians who have taken refuge in our compound."

The use of white phosphorous, which causes horrific burns on contact with skin, was banned as a weapon of war in civilian areas under the 1980 Geneva protocol.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called the UN attack an "outrage". During a meeting with Mr Ban, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert later apologised but said the shelling was prompted by fire from Palestinian gunmen at the compound.

"It is absolutely true that we were attacked from that place," Mr Olmert said in broadcast remarks.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090115/twl-hamas-offers-israel-ceasefire-41f21e0.html

[Jandar]

Israel still divided on Egypt offer for Gaza truce

Haaretz Last update - 07:36 16/01/2009

Israel still has some reservations regarding an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, despite Cairo's apparent promise to crack down on arms smuggling to Gaza - one of Israel's key demands - and Hamas' willingness to accept the offer.

A government source said Thursday that defense official Amos Gilad had returned from Egypt with a very reassuring report of progress in negotiations.

Gilad, who heads the Defense Ministry's diplomatic-security department, was in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the proposal. Upon his return Thursday night, Gilad headed straight to Jerusalem to report to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

The three are still divided on how to respond to the proposal. Gilad will return to Cairo on Friday for further talks.

The diplomatic-security cabinet was expected meet Friday to vote on the offer, but has decided to put off the debate until Gilad returns to Israel with an additional report.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056134.html