I have been reading a lot of information that Israel was preparing a major military offensive in Gaza due to the Hamas firing of Qassam rockets. The Israeli generals were convinced the longer the commitment to wait the more Israeli casualties would occur.

Thus I was a bit surprised to read from Fox News that Olmert agreed to a Gaza Cease Fire offered by Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. I suspect some major arm twisting behind the geo-political scenes were applied by the Bush Administration.

There still is no agreement on returning Hamas kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Also Hamas supreme leader Khaled Mashaal has made it clear from the Hamas point of view there is a deadline on peace talks. If the talks are not agreeable to Mashaal, Hamas will resume attacking innocent Israeli civilians.