Bible Prophecy

Sharon and Abbas Declare End to Four Years of Hostilities

Israel Line - Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced today in Sharm al-Sheikh an agreement to end more than four years of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, HA'ARETZ reported. "Today, in my meeting with Chairman Abbas, we agreed that all Palestinians will stop all acts of violence against all Israelis everywhere, and, at the same time, Israel will cease all its military activity against all Palestinians everywhere," Sharon said, closing a day-long summit in the Red Sea resort town.

Sharon indicated that his plan to withdraw from Gaza could kick start the U.S.-backed road map peace plan, which provides steps towards Palestinian statehood but has been balked for almost two years.

"For the first time in a long time there is hope in our region for a better future for our children and our grandchildren. We have to proceed carefully. It is a very fragile opportunity. Only breaking the back of terror and violence will build peace," Sharon added.

For his part, Abbas declared that the PA and Israel had agreed "to cease all acts of violence."

"We have agreed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to cease all acts of violence against the Israelis and the Palestinians wherever they are," he said in a statement at the completion of the summit. He added that peace meant the establishment of "a democratic Palestinian state alongside Israel." During their talks, Sharon invited Abbas to his ranch in the Negev desert, an offer which the Palestinian leader accepted. Sharon also extended invitations to visit Israel to the summit's host President Hosni Mubarak, and King Abdullah of Jordan. Both said that they would make the trip.

Meanwhile, reacting to the announcement of a cease-fire, the Hamas representative in Lebanon that his group would not be bound by the truce declarations.