The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government endorsed a cease-fire plan from President Mahmoud Abbas. The cease-fire would stop rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip in exchange for an end to Israeli airstrikes. “The government conducted an in-depth and lengthy discussion of the proposal offered by Abbas,” Cabinet spokesman Ghazi Hamad said Monday, according to Reuters. “The government has expressed its support for a reciprocal, comprehensive and simultaneous calm.” Separately, Hamas said the group would not consider a cease-fire unless it included an end to arrests in the West Bank. “It is neither logical nor acceptable that we leave the fate of our people in the West Bank hostage of the intentions of the occupation,” spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said, adding that Hamas operated separately from the government. Israel rejected both the plan by the relatively moderate Abbas, of Fatah, and the West Bank truce. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel would continue with airstrikes and limited ground operations until terrorists stopped their rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
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