That's the real headline.
Israel declares unilateral Gaza cease-fire; Hamas says NO.
"JERUSALEM – Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire in its 22-day offensive that turned Gaza neighborhoods into battlegrounds and dealt a stinging blow to the Islamic militants of Hamas, but the government said its troops will stay in the Palestinian territory for now.
Shortly before top leaders voted for the cease-fire at an emergency security meeting, Hamas threatened to keep fighting until Israeli troops leave Gaza."
Yes, yes. I know. I didn't expect Hamas to stop shooting, either, with the Israelis still parked in their driveway, but it's Israel's game so they can dictate the rules.
Hamas spits into the wind in 6,5,4....
Update: Hamas now agrees to cease fire? It's not party time, yet.
"Sunday's announcement came about 12 hours after Israel declared its own unilateral ceasefire.
Hamas' Syrian-based deputy leader, speaking for the militant Palestinian factions, said on Syrian television that the cease-fire will give Israel time to withdraw and open all the border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza."
Uh, huh. First of all, the IDF has allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza all along, and 'cease fire' in Arabic simply translates into 'reload.'
Secondly, it ain't Hama's terms to dictate, but Israel's.
"In announcing the truce late Saturday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel would withhold fire after achieving its goals and more.
"Hamas was hit hard, in its military arms and in its government institutions. Its leaders are in hiding and many of its men have been killed," Olmert said.
If Hamas holds its fire, the military "will weigh pulling out of Gaza at a time that befits us," Olmert said. If not, Israel "will continue to act to defend our residents."
