Israel rejects cease-fire proposal

Israel today rejected a 48-hour ceasefire proposal from France amid increasing signs of a pending ground offensive in Gaza.

The Israelis appear intent on carrying out a pre-planned drive to root Hamas out of Gaza, and reports indicate that ground troops are building up along the border as air strikes continue. The timing of the operation appears planned to take advantage of the sensitive transition period in the United States with Barack Obama's inauguration coming in a few weeks.

Hamas fighters also continue to launch rockets into Israel taking advantage of early morning mist that degrades the capability of Israeli reconnaissance drones.

Protestors hold placards during a demonstration against the Israeli attacks on Gaza as the motorcade of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama drives past in Kailua, Hawaii December 30, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES)

Times Online

Israel Rejects 48-Hour Cease-Fire Plan
New York Times - 33 minutes ago
An Israeli soldier jumped off a tank near the border wit the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. More Photos > By ETHAN BRONNER and TAGHREED EL-KHODARY JERUSALEM - After five straight days of punishing air attacks, Israel rejected a proposal for a 48-hour ...
Video: Fighting in Gaza continues RussiaToday


Israel rejects truce call, attacks Gaza The Associated Press

United States will host global financial meeting

US President George W. Bush appeared with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso at Camp David to announce a global financial summit.

World leaders will explore ways of preventing a repeat of the current financial meltdown in the future.

Aljazeera.net

US 'to host global finance talks'
Aljazeera.net - 38 minutes ago
George Bush, the US president, will offer to host an international conference in the US tasked with overcoming the global financial crisis, a senior administration official said.
Bush to host world summit on financial crisis CNN International
Bush Will Host a Summit on Global Financial Crisis (Update2)Bloomberg

U.S. President George W. Bush (C), French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso are pictured during remarks to the press before their meeting at the Presidential retreat at Camp David, October 18, 2008. Bush said on Saturday he would host a global summit in the near future to look at strategies to combat the global financial crisis. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) addresses the media as U.S. President George W. Bush (L) and European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso looks on after their arrival at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, October 18, 2008. Bush said on Saturday he would host a global summit in the near future to look at strategies to combat the global financial crisis. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

President Bush, center, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso arrive for a statement on the world economy at Camp David Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 in Camp David, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)