Kerry and Netanyahu at cross purposes on truce
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu raised the prospect of a "humanitarian cease-fire" in a phone call Monday night with US Secretary of State John Kerry, the secretary reported at a news conference Tuesday. He underscored US support for Israel’s right to defend itself, but said a ceasefire would mean fewer casualties on both sides. If this is correct, it would also mean that Netanyahu went behind the backs of his security cabinet in seeking a truce. In a statement issued by his office, the prime minister denied doing so and added that he had stressed that dealing wit the tunnels was of greater importance than a ceasefire.