Per CNN breaking news....
No link yet.
The first report said that they would halt aerial strikes for 48 hours, in part to review the missle strike that killed 60 and also to allow for a window of 24 hours for humanitarian services (not sure why the humanitarian efforts are limited to 24 hours).
And of course they have reserved the right to respond to hezbollah attacks, so hezbollah will also have to halt the hostilities in order for this to be a go. Haven't heard or read of any reports regarding that aspect.
Neither have I. The initial report also stated that they would strike any targets preparing to attack, so depending on how they use that classification we may not see any periods of inactivity.
I do not think Hezbollah will stop attacks, but perhaps they will.
If by "humanitarian efforts" means evacuating civilians, then go for it.
If it means providing two meals and bottled water before the attacks resume, then what's the point?
Wouldn't most of these people have left if it was feasable for them to do so?
I think part of the reason many of them have stayed is due to fears of being attaacked on the way out. There has been report after report after report of civilians trying to flee being attacked. That has to have an effect on the people wanting to leave.
Here's some information about the aerial strikes being halted:
Israel OKs Temporary Aerial Suspension
Jul 30, 5:44 PM (ET)
By KATHERINE SHRADER
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel agreed to a 48-hour suspension of aerial activity over southern Lebanon after its bombing of a Lebanese village on Sunday that killed a number of children.
The attack marred Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's mission to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The suspension of over-flights was announced by State Department spokesman Adam Ereli. He said Israel has reserved the right to attack targets if it learns that attacks are being prepared against them.
"The United States welcomes this decision and hopes that it will help relieve the suffering of the children and families of southern Lebanon," Ereli told reporters traveling with Rice.
An Israeli government official, confirmed that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to a 48-hour halt in airstrikes on Lebanon. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to talk to reporters,
A State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the evolving situation, said Rice had been working on such an agreement for some time before the attack on Qana, Lebanon. The airstrike early Sunday killed more than 50 people, including many children.
Ereli said that Israel will coordinate with the United Nations to allow a 24-hour period of safe passage for all residents of south Lebanon who want to leave the region.
"We expect that Israel will implement these decisions so as to significantly speed and improve the flow of humanitarian aid," he added.
The official said the 24 hours of safe passage could be renewed.
It was not immediately clear how much Israeli military activity the suspension would end. The official said only that the agreement covered aircraft, which would not rule out the use of ground troops or ground-based weapons systems.
The official said the Israeli government agreed to the suspension and that it was to take effect immediately.
"The decision was taken in light of the steadily deteriorating humanitarian situation in the area," the official said.
I want to know how Hezbollah responds to this.
That will be key for determining if it is successful!
Just reported that hezbollah has not agreed to any cease fire, only Israel. A reporter in Lebanon said that there is still out-going rocket fire from Lebanon.
If Hezbollah agreed, wouldn't that represent negotiation with terrorist, no matter how you cut it? Bush says Israel needs to reconsider some of their actions.
Bush says "America mourns the deaths of innocent people".
What a crock, coming from the new Butcher of Bahgdad.
Isreal negotiates with terrorists.
I don't think this has been mentioned but the cessation of airstrikes by Israel applies only to southern Lebanon.
What we need is for our government to have conviction and a little intergrity wouldn't hurt either. If we are ever to regain control of our legislators we have to take the money factor out of campaigns, cause right now, our Congress people are serving the interest of Exxon and radical fringe groups like James Dobson's, not the moderate interests of a majority of its cons uents.
Sincerely, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, GWI, GWII, Kosovo...we are unable to exact change on the world, cause the world has conviction and we only care about ourselves and money
They've usually been forced to do so by the international community.
Not to mention internal pressure. It is ok to let Isreal take responsibility Yonivore. Not everything need have a scapegoat.
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