Israel Agrees To Truce With Hamas On Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - June 18, 2008 - 4:05pm JERUSALEM — The prime minister and defense minister of Israel have agreed to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire with Hamas for the Gaza area starting Thursday, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday morning. Egyptian and Hamas officials had already announced on Tuesday that a deal had been reached. An unidentified senior Egyptian official told the state news agency MENA, "The Palestinian and Israeli sides have accepted the first stage of a reciprocal and simultaneous period of calm, starting in the Gaza Strip, from 0600 on Thursday." » Read more

Op-ed: Miscalculation, How Hamas Wastes Palestinian Lives ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Times by Ziad Asali - (Opinion) June 18, 2008 - 4:04pm Since Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza last June, a pattern of tit-for-tat provocation has defined the organization's relationship with Israel. One side launches an attack, the other side responds with disproportionate or indiscriminate force. The period of escalation then tapers off until the next flare-up, which generally involves increased intensity, more civilian casualties and higher-grade weaponry. This spiraling escalation has created a self-reinforcing logic, leading inexorably to a major Israeli operation in Gaza. » Read more