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Where does Israel, Gaza cease-fire agreement stand?

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    Israeli ambassador to U.S. weighs in

  • Duration 6:27
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Terror attack rocked Tel Aviv amid cease fire talks that would end the conflict between Israel and Hamas good morning to you.

I'm John Scott -- body and generally -- a bomb ripping through a bus right near Israel's military headquarters.

Wounding more than two dozen people and while no one has claimed responsibility for -- Celebratory gunfire -- out in Gaza and Hamas rulers there praised the attack.

Israel's deputy prime minister -- the bus bombing the first in this nation since 2004.

A quote escalation.

In the Gaza conflict in this comes as Israel strikes more targets in Gaza overnight to -- a cluster of -- government buildings there.

In the meantime Hamas firing dozens of rockets back at Israel bringing the total to some 14100.

Since the crisis began a little more than a week ago.

It's happening as secretary of state Hillary Clinton shuttles between Jerusalem the west bank and to end the violence joining us now ambassador Michael -- he's the Israeli ambassador to the United States ambassador pleasure to have you with us today.

Good to be with -- -- -- what new information do you have about who's behind the bus bombing.

But we don't know who is responsible yet cannot.

But we do know that Hamas is celebrating as you mentioned -- -- firing guns of celebration in the street -- giving out candy to children.

You can go on YouTube and see Hamas.

Supporters chanting.

We want more Israeli body -- we want more is really body bags and this this is really what this conflict is about.

It's about Hamas and other genocide -- groups in -- Gaza.

Trying to kill the maximum number Israelis.

Well we are trying to defend ourselves and trying to reduce.

The Palestinian civilian casualties of the greatest extent that we can.

Because the terrorists are dug in behind the civilian population how when we if I could have ambassador how has this impacted.

This cease fire talks that are ongoing.

-- doesn't help.

It's certainly we are we we're looking for Hamas to stop shooting at us to.

So that when we can discuss long term arrangements such as putting to place a mechanism that would prevent.

Hamas from the shooting at our population.

Every month -- they've been doing and paralyzing half the country.

And also stop Iran from smuggling very sophisticated long range missiles into Gaza both -- hit Tel Aviv they try to shoot them at -- Islam as well.

-- taught us a little bit about.

The -- -- negotiation and share with us with us what you can because on the very surface level we understand ceased our means at her when stops firing rockets at each other -- you mentioned some.

Other problems that are very import and -- Israel.

And the survival of your state so what is imperative.

To the cease fire negotiations.

To get Israel to agree.

What is imperative first of all that the firing stopped.

And a couple of days ago general that prime minister -- visited Gaza and we declared a unilateral cease fire we stopped all shooting.

Hamas.

Took advantage of that cease fire to fire fight fifty rockets at southern Israel so that's got to stop that's right off the bat.

But also we have to put into place a mechanism.

I involving other regional actors such as Egypt.

That will prevent the terrorist.

From the shooting three for twenty rockets every week into southern Israel to completely disrupt the lives of more than a million Israelis keeps them.

Within a 152 run of the nearest bomb shelter keep schools closed.

-- and we have to find a way of blocking the great smuggling.

A sophisticated arms from Iran including long range missiles up across the desert into Gaza.

You can't -- do you think Egypt is complicit in not -- you think Egypt under the new administration of president Morrissey is complicit and knows that's happening.

Well part of this way the the the rock they did the weaponry goes to the Red Sea.

From Iran rock we rock -- -- weapons also come from Libya and at certain point they all crossed through Egyptian territory.

So certainly there's a responsibility there to step up to the plate and stop the smuggling.

Egypt has been constructive in the past -- had a constructive role we hope beatable continue to fulfill a constructive role now -- in the future.

I asked that question because we we both know how -- in this -- relationship with Egypt is for both your country.

And fraud are -- -- to talk to a little bit about the New York Times article that.

That you wrote I today news did publish and he said that that Hamas is not interested in peace he does -- violence does want to promote.

Terror it is not a rational actor.

According to the way that you that you laid this out.

So so why negotiate at all through any actors here in this region with Hamas.

What you negotiate trade arrangement not to make -- they don't want -- negotiate with -- -- don't want make peace with us they -- to destroy us.

They want to not only kill every Israeli -- you wanna kill Jews throughout the world that's what -- covenant says there they are genocide organization.

But you can negotiate with the United States with Egypt and other regional actors to create a situation where Hamas does not have free -- to shoot at us.

And where Hamas does not have access.

-- Iranian rockets.

You -- and something so important though.

As Mary said they don't have free -- stood to fire these rockets but with or without hamas' ideology exist.

That that is one that wants to destroy the State of Israel.

This ideology is something that also we confront in this country as well so beyond just the immediate ambassador what do you do about that ideology how do you.

How do you win.

It's a great question -- -- the one like the question I've sought to ask and answer India in the New York Times article.

At winning means -- you send a message to the terrorists he sent a message to Hamas that if they shoot at our citizens they will pay a very very hair heavy price.

And they have to be -- reminded periodically.

And it's unfortunate that's the way we live in the Middle East but we've lived that way since it for 64 years since Israel creation.

Israel is a fantastic country a world leader in high tech and technology.

We've done this because every once in awhile we've had to remind those who want to destroy us.

That is a very very heavy price for shooting at our citizens and is that reminder only through violence.

Well we can remind them through diplomacy but if diplomacy doesn't work we have to take.

All legitimate and necessary means to defend our citizens that's what any.

State I would do is certainly a statement are very tough neighborhood ambassador we look for having back on the program thank you for the time we know you're very busy and we appreciate it very much.

Thank you have a good Thanksgiving --

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