(Government Press Office)
Ma'ariv suggests that despite yesterday's fatality, "Israel is inclined to reject the Egyptian ceasefire proposal as long as it does not include the return of Gilad Shalit," even though this could result "in a large-scale IDF ground operation in Gaza soon after the US President leaves the area." The editors venture that Hamas might respond with both increased firing and an attempt to have masses of Gazans break through the fence around the Strip. The paper also suggests that the Egyptians might unilaterally reopen the Rafiah crossing in order to head off domestic pressure and prevent another possible breakthrough into Sinai.
Yediot Aharonot describes yesterday's meeting between ISA Director Yuval Diskin and Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman, in which the latter sought to update the former on a possible ceasefire with Hamas, as "surreal," given that an elderly Israeli woman was killed by a GRAD rocket at the same time. The editors note that Israeli intelligence sources believe that Hamas would like to enter any calm, "from a position of strength." The paper analyzes the Egyptian ceasefire initiative and writes: "The Egyptian proposal has two main problems. One, it is not clear on the issue of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Two, it gives Hamas diplomatic status. Israel de facto accepts the fact that there is a factor that cannot be ignored. However, the alternative to this attempt at dialogue is a high chance of an immediate military clash, in all its aspects. In such a situation, upon the conclusion of the Bush visit, there is a high probability that we will enter a wide-ranging military operation in Gaza. And Israel cannot allow itself to enter a fight which is of great significance to both sides, without having tried to check the diplomatic option, weak as it may be."
Haaretz comments on Israel's immigration policy, stating that the state has not yet succeeded in establishing a consistent, realistic and humane immigration policy, and this fluid situation opens the door to discriminatory decisions.
The Jerusalem Post suggests four steps President Bush could take to leave the region better off than it was when he took office: He could tell the moderate Palestinians that their demand for an Israeli withdrawal to the 1949 lines is unrealistic; that their claims to a "right of return" should be abandoned; he could press Abbas to tackle the terrorist infrastructure right under his nose and finally he could point out that no progress will be made until Abbas prepares his people for genuine reconciliation with Israel.
[Alex Fishman and Amir Rapoport wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Ma'ariv, respectively. Makor Rishon-Hatzofeh was unavailable today.]