Olmert announces unilateral ceasefire in Gaza

[Piffle]

On BBC news24 now

A unilateral Israeli ceasefire comes into effect in Gaza, but at least six rockets are fired into Israel hours later.

Damn.

Hamas have said thex won't stop firing rockets & start the ceasefire until the israeli army has fully withdrawn & reopened the border crossings.

Question. Seeing as the UN have described the attack on their school as a war crime how many of you believe Israel will now be tried?

I suspect the "discomfort" refered to by Olmert was discomfort in the west, not the, ahem, inconveniences caused to the people of Gaza.

Re war crimes, short term unlikely. Maybe in a few years time?

Have a look at the BBC reports from Rafah - now that they have got journalists over the border.
It looks like Coventry after the war or some of the footage from German cities after the carpet bombing!

Hamas have announced a one week ceasefire.
Maybe there is hope?!

the fact that Hamas still has rocket capability proves that Israel knew they would never crush them entirely. There will be no shortage of arms supply to Hamas. Just as there will be no shortage of arms supply to Israel. Catch 22, anyone?

Olmert. Who the fuck would ever listen or believe a word that comes out of that man's mouth? he's already had FIVE investigations for corruption. How he has the bollocks to still be PM tells me everything I need to know about him.

However - I agree with KayHarker ; no more people being killed is worth a bit of cynicism.

A one week ceasefire on the condition that Israel exit withdraw from Gaza within those 7 days

Whoever gets Israel through the war crimes tribunal will be worthy of an award.
They have avoided if many times, much like their main supporters...

Yes quite Piffle, when will Bush & co ever be brought to book for the phosphorus bombs in Fallujah, for example?

Well anyway, it's a start, and a relief.

It would be much better for the Gazans if Hamas kept to the ceasefire, as they would retain international sympathy based on the devastation. Continued rocket attacks into Israel will only lessen their position in future negotiations.

Have just heard Tony Blair make his first coherent comment on the situation. He made a lot of sense, the only option is a 2 state solution with security for Israel and economic prosperity (as in Northern Ireland, when peace came along with the Celtic Tiger) for the Palestinians.

I can't understand why the hell Tony Blair has the job he does. He's not exactly held in high esteem in Arab countries (or here!) is he?

I totally agree about the Fallujah war crimes comments.

I am by no means an expert, but as far as a 2 state solution goes does anyone think Israel (and the US) can really be trusted?

I think the fact that TB has that job, sends a signal to the Arab world about exactly how serious the west is about pursuing justice in the middle east. IE not at all.

Can't agree with you there Rev - I'd spit on him if I saw him in the street (the worst thing I can think of doing!) Try him for war crimes.

You know someone who talks much sense and truth pertaining to this subject? Jimmy Carter, ex US president. But he's a bit old now. I wish he was involved instead of TB.

Did you really meet Arafat Rev?
I know one of his biographers and have heard he was a very charismatic and cheekily wily man.
What sense of personality did you get from him?

Good point about Carter Donnie.
At least TB ended years of Tory rule in the UK, so I can sort of see what you mean Rev. However his credibility in the Arab world is pretty low.