Behind closed doors, U.S. seeks Israel exit strategy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Paul Richter - December 31, 2008 - 1:00am While publicly declaring strong support for Israel, the Bush administration is increasingly nervous about the 4-day-old campaign in the Gaza Strip and is urging its ally to settle on a timetable and exit strategy, say foreign diplomats and Middle East experts close to the discussions. U.S. officials are concerned that the campaign could drag on without destroying Hamas, and might even bolster support for the militant group -- just as the 2006 Israeli campaign in Lebanon strengthened Hezbollah, they say. » Read more

Defiant Hamas Says It Can Outlast Israel as Gaza Strip Smolders ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Saud Abu Ramadan, Jonathan Ferziger - December 31, 2008 - 1:00am Amid the smoldering ruins of European-built ministries demolished by air raids, Hamas leaders say they are confident of their ability to outlast the Israeli military onslaught in the Gaza Strip. “Our people are willing to pay the price and resist this brutality,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a telephone interview from Gaza. “Israel will eventually weaken, and the popularity of Hamas will only grow.” » Read more

IAF bombs Gaza mosque being used as weapons storehouse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - December 31, 2008 - 1:00am The Israel Air Force on Wednesday evening bombed a mosque in a southern Gaza Strip which Hamas had been using to store part of its rocket arsenal. Shin Bet officials said that over the last few days, Palestinian militants have been seen carrying Katyusha and Qassam rockets, as well as a large supply of other weapons, around the vicinity of the mosque. The Shin Vet said that these weapons were destroyed in the IAF strike. » Read more

Israel set to maintain offensive for 'weeks' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times by Tobias Buck, Andrew England, Peggy Hollinger - December 31, 2008 - 1:00am Israel said yesterday its military was ready for "weeks of action" in spite of growing diplomatic pressure and Arab anger over its bombardment of the Hamascontrolled Gaza Strip. The quartet of Middle East peace brokers - the United Nations, the US, Russia and the European Union - last night urged a ceasefire in Gaza and southern Israel. The UN said: "They called for an immediate ceasefire that would be fully respected." An emergency meeting of EU ministers in Paris was expected last night to call for a 48-hour truce to allow medical supplies through to Gaza's civilian population. » Read more

Israel Rejects 48-Hour Cease-Fire Plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner, Taghreed El-Khodary - January 1, 2009 - 1:00am After five straight days of punishing air attacks, Israel rejected a proposal for a 48-hour cease-fire in its military onslaught in Gaza on Wednesday, saying it would maintain pressure on Hamas. But it did not rule out future diplomacy and was open to ways of increasing humanitarian aid. The decision was announced after a security cabinet meeting here. » Read more