Israeli Offensive Winding Down, Goals Not Yet Met

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This morning, at a press conference in Jerusalem, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said she would work for a total ceasefire even "this week." Without mentioning the release of the Israeli hostages - a long-stated Israeli objective of the current war - Rice said, "I am convinced that we can reach a ceasefire and long-term arrangement this week... We will call upon the UN Security Council to reach an arrangement that will include a ceasefire, a long-term arrangement and authorization for a multi-national force."

With Rice about to return to Washington, she said, "I take with me an emerging consensus" - though she did not elaborate - "on what is necessary for both an urgent cease-fire and a lasting settlement. I am convinced we can achieve both this week.''

Rice said yesterday that implementing a ceasefire would require the agreement of both Hizbullah and Israel. In her remarks today, however, she made no mention of how this would be achieved, or why she thought it could happen "this week." Gathering a multi-national force would also take more than a few days, media analysts say.

Arutz Sheva