[New York Times] Steven Erlanger and Ethan Bronner - Israeli troops pushed into Gaza City from the south on Sunday in fierce fighting, and senior Israeli officials said they believed Hamas leaders inside Gaza were looking for a cease-fire. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel was "getting close to achieving the goals it set for itself," but that "more patience, determination and effort are still demanded." On Monday Egypt plans to convene negotiations aimed at a cease-fire in Gaza. A senior Israeli security official said Israeli soldiers had "confirmed through their sights" the killing of 300 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters on the ground in Gaza, and that Hamas units were making mistakes and fighting without clear direction. "I can say with a high level of confidence that for two days, what we have been hearing repeatedly is that Hamas inside Gaza is eager - eager - to achieve a cease-fire," said the official. "This is as opposed to the leadership in Damascus that is willing to fight to the last Palestinian."
2009-01-12 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive