12 Signs It’s Time to Get Out of Gaza

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More than three weeks ago, responding to rocket fire from Gaza, Israel launched a campaign of airstrikes against Hamas. Two weeks ago, Israeli ground forces went in. The balance of military power is so lopsided that Israel can do whatever it wants. But that freedom makes it difficult for the winning side to recognize when it’s time to stop. Here are some clues that suggest that time is now:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2014/07/_12_signs_it_s_time_to_get_out_of_gaza_operation_protective_edge_needs_to.html

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1. Ceasefire talks at dead end, Palestinian official says

The ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are at a dead end, a senior Palestinian official told The Times of Israel on Thursday.

According to the official, there have been a series of efforts and consultations since yesterday aimed at finding agreement for a 72-hour truce.

Throughout the consultations, Israel has insisted that the IDF will continue to operate during the truce period against tunnels that cross into Israel, while Hamas insisted that anti-tunnel activities stop. Still, Hamas has reportedly given its consent for IDF troops to remain in Gaza for the duration of the truce.

The Israeli government’s announcement earlier Thursday that the IDF’s anti-tunnel activities would continue with or without a ceasefire was undermining the ceasefire efforts, the official said.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/ceasefire-talks-at-dead-end-palestinian-official-says/

[mikeysnot]

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