According to foxnews.com, a truce will commence between Israel and Hamas on Thursday. Israel has not confirmed the truce but Israeli Defense officials have said that negotiations concerning Corporal Gilad Schalit, kidnapped by Hamas in 2006, will begin Sunday. This truce was mediated by Egypt.
The truce demonstrates the political impotence of the Olmert government. For those who speculate that Israel will take out Iran's nuclear programme, keep in mind the Olmert government was unprepared to launch a full scale incursion into Gaza to halt the daily mortar rocket attacks into Israel. Sure, there will be calm but these truces are nothing more than an opportunity for Hamas to rearm itself. It is also worth noting the rocket attacks against Israel escalated after Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip.
Frankly, I am amazed that Olmert has held onto power this long especially given his lacklustre performance during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War and the corruption investigations against him. I thought he would be gone a year ago but I guess there's not much talent on the Kadima benches. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is the most obvious successor but she inspires about as much confidence as Olmert. Under the circumstances, this isn't saying very much.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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