Truce between Israel and Hamas holding for now

By Peroshni Govender
For the fourth consecutive day an unspoken truce and cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appear to be holding.

The possibility of a truce being brokered by Egypt first surfaced on Monday when Palestinian Authority President on the Mahmoud Abbas said a gentleman's agreement was in place. By Tuesday Israel and Hamas flatly denied the notion of talks.

Hamas spokesperson Sami abu Zuhri called Abbas a liar who was determined to ruin Hamas's credibility. "These remarks are nothing but lies aimed at damaging Hamas' image. Hamas leaders seek martyrdom and would never bargain over the blood of their people like other's do."

No peace if rocket attacks persist
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert flatly denied any talks "direct or indirect" where underway. Olmert said if rocket attacks into the Western Negev persists, Israel is ready to take military actions against Hamas. "There is no agreement and there are no direct or indirect talks. The Israeli Defence Force enjoys complete freedom of action, and we have not dictated any ceasefire."

He denied that Egypt is under pressure from the United States to play a greater role and mediate was brokering talks. "Egypt has no mandate to try and reach a truce agreement with Hamas."
Speaking to Jordanian editors in Amman on Tuesday Abbas accused a "key member" of the Israeli government of opposing peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Abbas pulled out of peace talks with Israel last week in protest of the indiscriminate loss of lives and excessive use of force in Gaza. Six days of Israeli military action on the Gaza Strip claimed more than 120 lives, 22 of which were children.

Meanwhile US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pressured Abbas to resume dialogue with Israel and the Palestinian president backtracked.
Abbas and Hamas the controllers of the Gaza Strip are political rivals. The Islamic movement controls Gaza and Abbas the West Bank. Since June when Hamas seized control of Gaza -- Abbas has refused to acknowledge or negotiate with them.