Hamas and Israel Say Close to Cease Fire as Violence Escalates

Ayman Taha

Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha claims that Hamas and Israel have reached a cease fire agreement, that would go into effect at midnight IST, or 3pm MST. However, Israel says that no agreement has been reached, yet, but that things are close.

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi had promised that a ceasefire would be reached sometime on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is on here way to Jerusalem, to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Around one hundred and fifty rockets have been fired out of Gaza today, including yet another one aimed at Jerusalem. The one meant for Jerusalem missed, and hit Palestinian territory in the West Bank. Air strikes in retaliation have been carried out, by the Israeli Defense Forces, aimed at launch sites, ammunition supplies, and Hamas' bank. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak stated that the IDF are fully set for a ground invasion, if necessary.

Hamas drags body of executed man through the streets.

Tuesday's violence saw IDF Corporal Yosef Fartuk and an Israeli civilian killed, eight Israeli soldiers and thirteen more Israeli civilians wounded, and six more Gazans killed. Six more Gazans were executed by Hamas, after they were accused of being sympathetic to Israel. Hamas then had one of the bodies drug through the streets.

The storm of rockets, coming out of Gaza, has held up Israel's supply of food to the region. Israel has kept up the supply, despite the violence, til now when Hamas has aimed some of their rockets, at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. During the violence the crossing has also been used to allow wounded Gazans to cross into Israel, for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, anti Israeli protests continued their violent trend. Once again multiple border crossings saw hundreds of Palestinians, throwing rocks and gas bombs, charge Israeli troops, protecting the border. The IDF responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

In parts of Israel, resident Palestinians have also turned violent. There have been over a dozen reports of rocks and gas bombs being thrown not just at IDF personnel and police, but at civilians as well. And in Tel Aviv a pitchfork wielding man attack guards outside of the US embassy, injuring at least one of the guards.