The United States said Friday it was working toward a ceasefire that permanently prevents Hamas from resuming rocket attacks on Israel. After briefing President George W. Bush on events 18 days before he leaves the White House, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also said she had no plans at the moment to travel to the Middle East.
"We are working toward a ceasefire that would not allow a re-establishment of the status quo ante where Hamas can continue to launch rockets out of Gaza," Rice said, according to AFP. "It is obvious that that ceasefire should take place as soon as possible, but we need a ceasefire that is durable and sustainable."
On Wednesday the White House upheld Israel's refusal to cease its offensive on Gaza, saying Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were "on the same page."
In her remarks to reporters, Rice repeated the US stand that any truce must be a "durable" one, in contrast to the previous six-month agreement that expired on December 19. "Obviously, the United States is very concerned about the situation there and is working very hard with our partners around the world to address it," Rice sstressed.
Rice again pinned the blame for the violence on Hamas. "I might note that it was Hamas that rejected the Egyptian and Arab calls for an extension of the (ceasefire) that Egypt had negotiated," Rice said.
"But I have been in constant contact with the key Arab states, I have talked with our European colleagues, and we are talking constantly with the Israeli government to find a solution to Gaza that will be a sustainable one for the people of Gaza, for the people of Israel, and for the people of the Palestinian territories of the Middle East more broadly," he said.
"The president has also been in touch with the major leaders of the Arab states and with the Israelis, and we're going to continue our work toward a ceasefire ... that will be durable," she said.
Asked if she planned to travel to the Middle East to broker an end to the crisis, Rice replied: "I have no plans at this point."
The Israeli offensive, launched on Saturday has killed at least 422 people and wounded more than 2,100 others.
