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Israel Rejects French Truce Proposal

The so-called kitchen cabinet of the Israeli government, which includes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni and Defense Minster Ehud Barak, on Wednesday morning rejected a French proposal for a 48-hour truce for the Israeli military operation in Gaza, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
 
According to the proposal, which was suggested by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in conjunction with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a 48-hour truce would allow humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza, and would serve as a prequel to talks for a longer, more permanent, cease-fire.
 
In addition, the proposal also includes a review of the possibility of reopening the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza under European Union supervision as agreed in 2005 after Israel left Gaza.    
 
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was quoted by international new agencies as saying that he and Sarkozy were considering going to Israel amid international diplomatic efforts to end the violence in Gaza.
 
As Israel’s air and naval campaign against Hamas targets in Gaza enters its fifth day, it still remains unclear whether or not Israel will launch a ground invasion.
 
So far, the Israeli army has taken up positions along the border with Gaza; 6,700 reservists have already been called up and on Wednesday Barak sought cabinet approval to call up an additional 2,510.
 
The Palestinian Authority has announced it is canceling New Year celebrations and Christmas celebrations of the Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, scheduled for January 7, to protest against the events in Gaza.
 
Meanwhile, a statement from P.A. Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas’ office said Fatah would also be canceling its 44th anniversary celebrations, which coincide with the New Year.
 
Lights on the Christmas tree in Bethlehem’s main square have been turned off and bishops in the West Bank and Jerusalem are condemning the Israeli offensive against Gaza.
 
Both Jordan and Egypt have announced plans to cancel official Christmas celebrations, according to news reports. The municipality of Istanbul, in Turkey, announced plans to cancel celebrations scheduled for Wednesday because of the situation in Gaza.
 
Egypt, Jordan and Turkey all have full diplomatic relations with Israel.