This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure." (Psalm 7:9)
1. Israel accepts ceasefire offer - Jerusalem Post
Israel announced on Saturday, following a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, that it would accept the Palestinian factions' offer of a ceasefire.
2. Palestinian Leaders Attempt to Stem Rocket Attacks in Violation of Israeli Truce - Fox News
Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip at Israel died down Sunday after a daybreak cease-fire, giving hope the truce might end five months of bloody destruction and open a path toward peace talks, despite harsh statements from militants saying they would continue to attack Israel.
3. Chirac, Prodi call for European push on Middle East peace - Lebanon Daily Star
Italian Premier Romano Prodi and French President Jacques Chirac pressed for a greater European role in Middle East peacemaking at a summit Friday and called for the formation of a Palestinian national unity government. The two leaders, meeting in the Tuscan town of Lucca, said such a move would help end the recent bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and open the door for peace efforts, such as the initiative launched last week by Spain, France and Italy - the three largest contributors to a UN force in Lebanon.
4. Mashaal takes back 3rd intifada threat - Ynet News
Hamas politiburo Khaled Mashaal backed away from a six month deadline he set the day before for achieving a Palestinian state or else the militant group would launch a new intifada against Israel.
5. IDF: Gaza terrorists have anti-aircraft capabilities - Ynet News
According to a senior Israel Air Force officer, "terror organizations in the Gaza Strip have anti-aircraft capabilities." The IAF is a joint participant in most Gaza operations, particularly in pinpoint operations or assistance to ground forces.
6. Abdullah: Possibility of three civil wars in Mideast - AP
Jordan's King Abdullah said Sunday the problems in the Middle East go beyond the war in Iraq and that much of the region soon could become engulfed in violence unless the central issues are addressed quickly. "We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," he said, citing conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon and the decades- long strife between the Palestinians and Israelis. (AP)
