PM Olmert
Photo: AP
Situation in Gaza approaching turning point, Olmert says
PM issues harsh warning to Palestinians ahead of Livni, Barak's scheduled meeting with Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh. 'Current situation is intolerable,' he says, 'our hope is that one day the residents of the south will lead a peaceful life. Adds: We have someone to count on in Bush
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert issued a harsh warning to the Palestinians on Sunday, saying that Israel was "getting closer to a turning point regarding the Gaza issue."
Southern Front
Residents of southern Israel to present Barak with petition demanding that any ceasefire agreement with Palestinian terror groups include kidnapped soldier's return
"The current situation is intolerable. Our hope is that one day the residents of the south will lead a peaceful life, Olmert said at the onset of the weekly cabinet meeting ahead of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's scheduled meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The three are expected to discuss a possible ceasefire agreement with the Palestinians terror groups and the ongoing efforts to secure the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
The prime minister praised US President George W. Bush's visit to the region, saying that "we are grateful for the unconditional commitment of the greatest superpower on earth to Israel's existence, security and prosperity."
Olmert told the ministers that during the visit he and Barak held strategic talks with Bush on Syria, Iran, the peace negotiations with the Palestinians and the situation in Gaza.
"We all left these meetings with a feeling that we have someone we can trust," the PM said.
