◼ Israel has agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza. - The Other McCain
◼ Netanyahu press conference: - Guardian
He says “we started this operation because of rocket fire.” The strikes destroyed thousands of Hamas installations, he said, with international support.
He says Iran was responsible for arming Hamas and that Obama had agreed that more must be done to stop the arms movement.
Netanyahu singled out Obama for his support. “Special thanks to president Obama for his unwavering support for Israel, and for supporting Iron Dome.”
Netanyahu also thanks Egypt.
He said the Israeli assault was necessary:
“That is what a responsible government does, and that is what we did in this case too.Mohamed Kamel Amr, Egyptian foreign minister
“I know there are those who expected a more intense military response, and that may be needed, but at this time the best thing for Israel” is to take this opportunity to achieve a long-term ceasefire.
Netanyahu salutes the citizens of Israel. “I am proud to be your prime minister.”
Egypt has made great efforts ... since the start of the latest escalation in the Gaza Strip. These efforts and contacts have resulted in understandings to cease fire and restore calm.Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state
The US welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire in Gaza – for it to hold the rocket attacks must end and a broader calm must return. The people of this region deserve the chance to live free of fear and violence.◼ Israel and Hamas agree to Obama-sponsored truce - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
Israel may have obtained a short term peace, at relatively small loss of Israeli life. But Hamas will claim the victory. Hamas will restock and expand its arsenal, as Hezbollah did in Lebanon. There may not be any rocket fire in the short run, but when the Iranian orders come, Hamas will be a a position to overwhelm even the Iron Dome defenses.
Hamas lost some key members, and plenty of buildings. It will not make a difference, they will celerate their victory. They fired long range missiles into the heart of Israel and live to fight another day.
And in exchange for stopping firing rockets, Hamas gets more open borders.
Drudge:
HAMAS CELEBRATES TEL AVIV BUS BOMBING...
Dozen Wounded in Blast...
HAMAS 'BLESSES' ATTACK...
'God Willing, We Will Soon See Black Body Bags'...
EGYPT: 'TRUCE'...
◼ COME HOME, HILLARY - Paul Mirengoff/Powerline
The bombing of the bus in Tel Aviv confirms the folly of attempting to negotiate a cease fire with Hamas at this time....
But Israel is constrained by the presence of Hillary Clinton, and that, of course, was President Obama’s purpose in planting her in Israel. Obama went ballistic on Prime Minister Netanyahu when, while Joe Biden was in Israel, the government said it would built some housing units in Jerusalem. Imagine the reaction if Israel launches an invasion while Hillary is present.
The whole spectacle is farcical. A pretend friend of Israel sends his envoy to constrain Israel’s ability to defend itself, on the pretense of negotiating a pretend long-term cease fire through the good offices of an Egyptian government that doesn’t even pretend to be other than Israel’s enemy.
Meanwhile, Hamas, which isn’t pretending, continues to kill Israelis.
◼ Hamas Fires Twelve Missiles Into Israel an Hour After Ceasefire - Gateway Pundit
