MJ: Gaza Strife Raises Urgency of Israeli Calls for Talks with Hamas: "After a weekend ground operation in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip that left more than 100 people dead, many of them civilians, Israeli Defense Forces pulled out of Gaza Monday. The withdrawal could be a gesture to placate an important visitor: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to arrive in Israel Tuesday to try to advance stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and all out-warfare going on in the background to her peace mission would no doubt be an embarrassment to Washington. ... "

More at the link and from Ken Silverstein.

Posted by Laura at March 3, 2008 11:18 AM