Pressure Mounts For Gaza Ceasefire

Forecast from David Hartwell, Jane’s Country Risk Middle East Analyst.

Residents in Gaza run for cover from an Israeli attack Courtesy: blog.wired.com

(LONDON) - David Hartwell, Jane’s Country Risk Middle East Analyst, forecasts, “Israel probably judges that it has another week to 10 days to complete its operations in Gaza, given the time it has taken for international pressure to reach a point where engagement is deemed necessary."

Israel has received harsh criticism for its military action in Gaza. Protests have been organized in many countries calling for a cessation of the hostilities.

"Nevertheless, it will need to show tangible results to justify the expense of lives and money to the Israeli public. Thus, while calls for a truce will grow louder, until Israel feels it has achieved its objectives or the United States begins to voice public concern at the diplomatic cost of the operation - an unlikely prospect in the immediate term given the situation with the Bush administration - the fighting in Gaza will continue.”

David Hartwell further commented, “Hamas may well bow to Egyptian pressure and accept the need for a truce, but Israel's attitude is such at the moment that this will only be granted when it feels its military job is done."

Hartwell added that with a military victory for Israel over Hamas not possible, the security situation in southern Israel and Gaza will not improve, even in the longer term.