Livni; in right of self defense
Photo: AP
UN Security Council meeting on resolution 1860
Photo: AP
IDF tank in Gaza
Photo: AP
Livni on UN resolution: We will act only in our interest
Limited cabinet including prime minister, foreign minister and defense minister convenes to discuss Security Council resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza. Livni says 'Israel will act only according to its calculations, for security of citizens, in right of self defense'. Hamas says not bound by resolution
A few hours after the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1860 calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the limited cabinet including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak convened Friday morning to decide whether Operation Cast Lead should be expanded, or if fire should be held.
Israel has shown a certain level of apathy to the resolution, and Hamas has also stated it is not bound by and will not accept the decision.
Full Text
Yitzhak Benhorin
Security Council members call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, IDF withdrawal, transfer of supplies to Gaza, humanitarian aid, and intra-Palestinian reconciliation. Hamas, as well as kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, not mentioned
Vice Premier Minister Eli Yishai was more blunt, saying, "The world has turned into Haniyeh and Hamas' lobbyist. It's no matter for concern if this resolution stays on paper, our interest is all that matters."
The cabinet may also be convened again later Friday.
Hamas representative in Lebanon Osama Hamdan said Hamas was not affected by the Security Council's resolution. According to Hamdan, the resolution is primarily a reflection of Israel's failure in the field.
"This failure is what brought the resolution about, but we stress that no one has consulted with us. This resolution does not take the Palestinian interest into consideration, and does not address lifting the siege or opening the crossings," Hamdan said.
The Hamas man added that minutes after the resolution was passed, the IDF bombed the home of a Palestinian family in Beit Lahiya in the northern Strip, killing seven people. "This is proof of the enemy's intentions and it proves that this resolution isn't serious," he said.
Hamdan added however, that if the resolution is to be amended to something more practical, "it must be done with us and us alone, along with the other Palestinian resistance organizations," he said, adding that his movement is not bound by the current resolution.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
