War Diary

Alan Fisher reports from Israel

Tuesday 6 January
The need for a peace deal is obvious. From our point on the hill overlooking Northern Gaza, a black cloud hangs in the clear blue sky. Whatever is burning has been doing so for a while, and with some intensity. In the distance there is a persistent low boom, which could be tanks or heavy guns, and there is machine gun fire. And somewhere in there, there are innocent people wondering where to go next, wondering if anywhere will offer them sanctuary.
     Some tried. They went to a school, a designated UN centre. Its co-ordinates were passed to the Israelis before the war. Its position was well known. But there was an attack in the area, and a tank shell exploded near the gates and we're told there are 40 dead. The Israelis blame Hamas for firing rockets in the area. They say the deaths are a mistake – a consequence of war. The Palestinians call it a massacre.
     As night falls it becomes clear that the fighting in the northern Gaza strip is at a much lower level than the previous night. There are still explosions, still the crack of gunfire but it's nowhere near as intense. It's a sign perhaps that from the northern suburbs of Gaza city to the border, the Israelis are in control. But near Khan Younis, Gaza's second biggest city, in the south of the strip, the battle goes on.
     Everyone knows the fighting will end and a deal will be reached. It is inevitable. It's just not imminent.

Wednesday 7 January
For three hours, the fighting almost stopped. The Israelis ordered a halt to the fighting to create a 'humanitarian corridor' to allow food, medicine and water into Gaza. It started at 1pm local time, but almost immediately we heard gunfire – four long bursts from somewhere near Bet Hanun in the north of the Gaza strip. Then nothing. For almost three hours, no fighting. Inside Gaza people took the chance to run and grab what supplies they could. Food and water were the priorities. Oil for heaters where it could be found and candles to break the frightening darkness in the blackout Gaza were all on the list. Then just as the clock was running out it started again. First with gunfire, followed by the inevitable explosions. The corridor was closed.
     The peace initiatives seem to be gaining some traction. An Egyptian-French proposal is getting 'serious consideration' from the Israelis and Hamas. A resolution at the UN is imminent.
     For 24 hours Israel has been at the turning point in its operation. They either hold what they have or push on with phase three – the drive into Gazan towns and cities. The security cabinet has been looking at all options and has decided not to make a decision. It effectively postpones stage three and the casualties that it would bring on both sides to allow diplomatic efforts to continue.
     The conflict feels as if it's entering its final days. The question is how many more will die before it stops.

Thursday 8 January
While all the talk is of ceasefires and cessations, it's important to remember that the fighting, and dying, continues. The Israeli air force dropped leaflets in southern Gaza around the Rafa crossing with Egypt, telling people to get out of their homes as the area was going to be attacked. It sparked panic as people desperately searched for safety before the bombs and missiles arrived.
     The Israeli security cabinet has approved the call-up of a thousand more reservists, and while holding off launching phase three of Operation Cast Lead, the surge into towns and cities of Gaza, they agreed to intensify and widen stage two. In the face of this inevitability, areas in Northern Israel – around Gallilee – have been hit by rockets fired from southern Lebanon. A top official from the defence ministry here is on his way to Cairo. He'll be given details of the ceasefire plan worked out by the Eygptians and the French and then report back to the Israeli cabinet. That's when a decision will be made whether war will end soon, or whether the suffering on both sides will continue.

Alan Fisher is a correspondent with the global news channel
Al Jazeera English