A Middle East ceasefire could be in the offing during a week of high diplomacy. But Israel has mixed feelings.
中东地区的停火协议在为期一周的高层外交斡旋中可能即将产生。但是,以色列对此持矛盾的态度。
Israel is considering a truce offer from the Islamic militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
以色列正在考虑伊斯兰激进组织哈马斯提出的一项停火协议。哈马斯现在控制着加沙地带。
The proposal will be presented by Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who is due to visit Israel on Monday. It calls for an end to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli border communities, while Israel would halt all military action in Gaza and lift its crippling blockade of the territory.
But some Israeli officials, as well as the army, strongly oppose a ceasefire. They say Hamas would use a truce to regroup and rearm for the next round of violence.
"Therefore, it is inevitable with the acquisition of weapons by Hamas, based on its creed of warfare against Israel, based on its training in Iran, based on its jihadic war effort and ethos, that fighting will continue," said Israeli analyst Modechai Nissan.
Hamas is seeking a ceasefire because it has been hit hard by Israeli sanctions and military incursions. But Palestinian activist Hanna Siniora believes a truce serves the interests of both sides.
"What is needed, and I think what Hamas and all Palestinians are saying [is], 'It is time to sit down and talk instead of to fight and have civilians killed," said Siniora.
The moderate Palestinian government in the West Bank believes a truce would create a positive atmosphere for peace talks when President Bush visits the region later this week.