MIDDLE EAST: Cautious optimism in Israel over expected Middle East truce

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ended a peace mission to the Middle East on Monday (July 31), saying she believed a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon could be forged this week. "This morning, as I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and lasting settlement. I am convinced we can achieve both this week," Rice said, reading a statement in Jerusalem ahead of her departure. Rice said she would call for a U.N. resolution this week on the ceasefire and the establishment of an international stabilisation force for southern Lebanon, but did not provide details. The Rice announcement met mixed opinion in the Israeli Knesset, which held a special session to debate the war. "I think the chances for a full ceasefire are not very good. First, because it is our duty this time to eliminate the rocket threat to the north of Israel and we cannot do it without completing our military operations in the south of Lebanon. And second, because I don't see the Hizbollah stopping terrorist attacks across the border," said member of parliament Yuval Steinitz. A day earlier, the U.S. Secretary of State won a 48-hour suspension from Israel of its aerial bombardment of south Lebanon. The temporary aerial cease-fire cane after an Israeli air strike on a Lebanese village that killed at least 54 people, most of them children. "The Israeli decision to cease the airforce strikes for 48 hours is an important decision that shows that we regret very much the development of yesterday when innocent people, children were killed and I hope that it will hasten the efforts towards a ceasefire," said Israeli member of parliament, Yossi Beilin. But Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz told the Knesset Israel would expand and deepen the offensive targeted against Hizbollah. In the Israeli city of Haifa, the largest city targeted by Hizbollah's rockets, some residents welcomed the idea of a cease-fire or settlement. "It ends the suffering of children, mainly, and I don't believe that war is the way to end conflicts," one Haifa resident said of the ceasefire. "I think the ceasefire is very good, but I hope that it will last for more than 48-hours," another man said. Artillery and ground units, however, continued operations in northern Israel, near the Lebanese border. At least 542 people have been killed in Lebanon, though the health minister estimated the toll at 750 including unrecovered bodies. Fifty-one Israelis have been killed.

ITN Source | July 31, 2006

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