Israel And Hamas Cease-Fire Not Extended

Israel And Hamas Cease-Fire Not Extended (NSI News Source Info) December 21, 2008: The end of a six-month cease-fire between Hamas and Israel could hamper the long-term peace process in the region. As if the threat of a nuclear Iran and the challenge of rising violence in Afghanistan weren't cause enough for concern, Barack Obama's incoming administration was dealt the news Thursday that Hamas doesn't intend to renew its expiring cease-fire with Israel. The end of the six-month cease-fire, coming only a month before President-elect Obama takes office, could complicate his administration's efforts in the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The cease-fire, which has been broken sporadically, was negotiated with the help of the Egyptians. It was set to expire Friday, but escalating violence along the border in recent weeks -- including a barrage of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip over the past few days -- signaled the agreement likely would not be extended. Israeli Army officers ran past a pair of tanks maneuvering at their forward base on the border with Gaza near Kibbutz Nahal Oz in southern Israel. A six-month cease-fire between Israel and the militant Islamist organization Hamas expired this morning, with senior Israeli government officials warning that a military offensive in Gaza would be unavoidable if the rocket fire from the territory continued

A demonstrator jumped into the air to avoid a tear gas canister fired by Israeli soldiers during a demonstration against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin, near Ramallah. Israel says the barrier is necessary for security; Palestinians call it a land grab

A Palestinian boy wearing an Islamic Jihad headband beside a Palestinian militant during an anti-Israel rally in Gaza. Armed Islamist factions in Gaza put their men on alert on Friday, but calm prevailed