Morning Brief: Ceasefire ends

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A six-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza ended today. Three Qassam rockets were fired into Israel on Friday morning, following nine on Thursday. An Israeli government source told Haaretz, “if Hamas doesn’t come to its senses and calm the situation, there will be no choice other than an Israeli military response.”

In fact, neither side had completely followed through on the terms of the ceasefire, with Israel blocking shipments of food into Gaza and Palestinian rocket attacks continuing throughout the truce. However, Ethan Bronner of the New York Times believes that while the truce was fundamentally flawed, “given each side’s refusal to acknowledge the other’s legitimacy, another such accord of winks and nods seems the likely outcome of any coming negotiations.”

U.S. Presidential Transition

Bill Clinton released a list of donors to his foundation, which includes big donations from governments in the Middle East and some well-known business figures.

Obama’s invitation to conservative pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at his swearing-in has drawn protests from gay rights groups.

Middle East

Rival politicians are accusing Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of ordering this week’s arrests in order to bolster his own political position.

A judge said that shoe-thrower Muntadar al-Zaidi was beaten while in custody.

Three German hostages captured in Yemen this week, were released.

Asia

The Taliban is stepping up its attacks on goods bound for Afghanistan from Pakistan. 

A debate over a free trade agreement with the U.S. in the South Korean parliament descended into a literal brawl.

South Korea brought its last troops home from Iraq.

Americas

Venezuela’s assembly seems likely to eliminate presidential term limits.

8,000 sugar industry workers were laid off in Jamaica.

Mark Felt, the informant “Deep Throat” of Watergate fame, died at the age of 95

Europe

Russia’s Gazprom threatened to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine if it does receive an additional $1.2 billion by the end of the year.

A Russian general also said the country would halt some of its new missile development if the United States agreed to scrap its planned missile defense shield.

Parmalat founder Calisto Tanzi was sentenced to 10 years in jail for fraud.

A UN court dismissed alleged Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic’s claim that he was offered immunity by U.S. ambassador Richard Holbrooke.

Africa

Ethiopia missed a deadline to begin withdrawing troops from Somalia.

Abductions of opposition leaders are making power-sharing talks impossible in Zimbabwe.

Today’s Agenda

Barack Obama will announce California Rep. Linda Solis as secretary of labor and ex-Dallas mayor Ron Kirk as trade representative.

Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images