IDF Radio Exclusive: New details on the formulation of the cease-fire during
the operation
Two weeks after Operation Protective Edge new details raise serious
questions about the conduct of American mediation that led to a cease-fire
before a serious incident in Rafah that killed Lieutenant Hadar Goldin
Tal Lev-Ram IDF Radio 09/09/14 09:25
http://glz.co.il/1138-49805-HE/Galatz.aspx

Looking back to Operation Protective Edge: On August 1, at 8:00, a ceasefire came into
effect for 72 hours. Behind the cease-fire were John Kerry and Ban Ki-moon.
But not an hour and a half passed and it was broken near Rafah. An ambush
opened fire on Givati soldiers. The Patrol Commander and a sergeant later
died - and it turned out that Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, whose body was
abducted, also died in battle.

The Americans - John Kerry, the UN and Israel insisted it was a flagrant
violation of the cease-fire. But this morning (Tuesday), new details become
clear, raising sharp questions about the quality of American mediation.

Khaled Mashaal claimed all along that Hamas did not break the cease-fire in
Rafah, since in fact he was not prepared to accept the principle of not
taking action against IDF forces in the Gaza Strip.

Sources in Jerusalem confirmed that, in hindsight, it turns out that Khaled
Meshal, despite the promises given to Israel on this issue, especially from
the United States, did not promise not to act against IDF forces as long as
they are in the Gaza Strip.

On the eve of the ceasefire the Israeli authorities had much experience with
abuse of ceasefires by Hamas.

Sources in Jerusalem told Army Radio: "We demanded from the Americans two
things: cease-fire, and complete freedom of action in acting against the
tunnels, without the threat of fire by Hamas. We demanded a written
document that Hamas accepted the terms and so it was, and so it was in media
announcements ".

John Kerry was the first who told the media that Israel and the Palestinians
are ready for a ceasefire for 72 hours without conditions. Also the UN
spokesperson addressed the matter and stressed that the troops would remain
in place. In other words, the principle of IDF forces remaining in the Gaza
Strip was accepted by Hamas, which of course turned out not to be true.

According to this disturbing information, one can say that Israel was misled
by the United States. But apparently there was not an act of malice. There
is no doubt that there was a failure. In this case, unequivocally, Israel
would not agree to a cease-fire without an American commitment on the
achievement of full understanding with Hamas.

We will never know what influence this odd development had on that same
harsh event where fighters were killed in a difficult battle. What is
certain is that this wasn't the only problem Israel had with the Americans
and vice-versa in this operation.

MK Nissan Slomiansky commented on the revelation: "If the Americans misled
us, this is a terrible earthquake in the relations that exist today between
Israel and the United States, that until now, until this news - I know are
excellent relations. Especially in the field of intelligence. If they were
misleading, then this is a tremendous breakdown."
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