The 19th day: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday at the beginning of a cabinet meeting that "Israel is in no rush to declare a ceasefire before we have achieved our central objectives that we set for ourselves prior to the operation." During the meeting, Olmert, the foreign minister and the defense minister summarized the main points of discussion between them and the US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, who returned to Israel Saturday.
In regards to the issue of a multinational force, the prime minister said: "We expect a detailed agreement on the forces that will secure the regions dangerous to Israel." In regards to the home front he said: "The central effort of he government will be to provide the best and most thoughtful response to the population sitting in the shelters under the threat of rockets falling on their houses for the 19th day."
In addition, the Minister of the Treasury, Avraham Hirchson, reported an agreement with the Histadrut and the employers on the payment of the salaries of the northern residents sitting in shelters and direct and indirect damages payments because of Katyushas.
PM's Office: We are not withdrawing from Shebaa Farms
In the Prime Minster's Office in Jerusalem it was clarified on Sunday that withdrawal from Shebaa Farms will not be part of a possible ceasefire agreement. "Israel rests on the principles of the SC Res. 425 for a future arrangement on the issue," it was reported.
Following publications about the possibility for an Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa Farms, it was clarified Sunday in the Prime Minister's Office that this is in reference to "Lebanese wishes." Likewise, it was reported Saturday at the end of the meeting between the prime minister and the US Secretary of State that Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's offer, that included among other things return of Shebaa Farms, did not come up in discussion between the two sides. It was clarified that for the implementation of the a ceasefire, Israel demands the application of SC Res.1559.
Minister of Tourism, Isaac Herzog, responded to the possibility that Israel will return Shebaa Farms: "Contrary to the interpretations, Israel is in a much better strategic position than what is thought. Nasrallah is in a difficult position, he is lying. It is true that the international community wants a speedy ceasefire. I think that in the coming days we will come to a reasonable political arrangement. Israel has time, but it is limited."
The Prime Minister's Office rejects the claim that the US is restricting Israel's time to act. According to them, the issue of an appointed time for a ceasefire did not come up in the discussion between the secretary of state and the prime minister.
In Jerusalem, they are making note that UN member states, headed by France and Britain, are requesting a hastened decision of the Security Council on the issue of a ceasefire in southern Lebanon. Such a decision, the countries expect, needs to come in the discussion of the Security Council that is scheduled to take place Wednesday in New York. In Jerusalem, they are preparing for such a possibility, however, in the meantime, political sources are permitting the IDF to continue operations without any limitations on time.
Simultaneously, political sources in Jerusalem are emphasizing the cabinet's authorization last Wednesday to call up up to three reserve divisions. These divisions are expected to enable a potential expansion of the military operation in Lebanon if the need for expansion within a short amount of time arises. Furthermore, these divisions are intended to provide increased preparedness in the case that Syria decides to get involved in the military confrontation that has developed in southern Lebanon.