"Israel" Retreats, Prefers Lull

Local Editor

The smoke of defeat and retreat emerged Tuesday from "Israel's" security meeting.

According to "Israeli" media, the forum of top nine ministers has decided that the Zionist entity will attempt to reach a lull.

"A decision was taken that for the time being there is a temporary hold on the ground incursion to give diplomacy a chance to succeed," an "Israeli" official announced following a late-night session of "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle.

Meanwhile, another official told "Ynet" daily that "the goal is to reach a ceasefire and discontinue the operation."

"While the massive firing of rockets at "Israel's" south continues... it appears Operation Pillar of Clouds may be drawing to an end," the daily commented.

Moreover, it mentioned that a heavy barrage of Gaza rockets was fired at the "Israel" Tuesday morning. Also Tuesday, al-Arabiya reported that "Israel" and the Palestinian factions are expected to sign a ceasefire agreement within a matter of hours. It was also reported that preparations for the signing are already underway in Cairo.

This comes as "Israel" asked Egypt to play the role of mediator during a 24-48- hour ceasefire before the final agreement is signed. Sources revealed that the agreement includes the Palestinian resistance conditions of lifting  the Gaza blockade and the opening of various crossings.
Another "Israeli" official said that the "Israeli" army will continue to act with force in the Gaza Strip.

In this context, "Israeli" airstrikes martyred two Palestinians on the seventh day of "Israel's" bombardment of the coastal strip.

An airstrike on al-Mughraqa in central Gaza killed Mohammad Rezeq al-Zahar, and wounded his son, medics said.

Another strike martyred Yahya Marouf in Beit Lahiya in north Gaza.
Earlier, four Palestinians were reported injured in a separate strike on Beit Lahiya.

Since "Israel" launched its aerial assault of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, 119 Palestinians have been martyred, and around 900 injured. For its part, "Israel" announced that it launched over 100 attacks on sites across the Gaza Strip since midnight.

Source: News agencies, Edited by moqawama.org