Israel reject ceasefire agreement

On 31 December 2008 Israeli officials rejected a proposed 48-hour ceasefire agreement with Hamas, asserting that the proposed truce did not provide sufficient guarantee that Hamas would strictly observe it. Air strikes continued for a fifth consecutive day in the Gaza Strip, while Israeli troops remain stationed along the border. Hamas has reportedly recruited additional fighters in preparation for a possible Israeli ground offensive and is attempting to secure its territory by laying mines and "other booby traps." As of 31 December, casualty figures from the past five days of air strikes are estimated at least 385 killed and more than 800 injured in the Gaza Strip and at least four Israelis killed as a result of rocket attacks in southern Israel. Hamas militants launched on 31 December a barrage of rockets into southern Israel, demonstrating its continued capability for such attacks. An estimated 35 rockets were launched, including longer-range ones that struck further into southern Israel and hit Beersheba, which is located approximately 24 mi/40 km from the Gaza Strip border. Beersheba is the largest city in the south and has not previously been affected by rocket attacks. At least four rockets struck the city, including one that hit the city center. Other rockets hit Ashkelon, Gedera and Ashdod as well as several other towns and communities. Approximately 50 rockets were launched against southern Israel on 30 December. In northern Israel, the alert level has reportedly been raised in anticipation of possible rocket attacks by Palestinian militants (or possibly Hizballah militants); Israel has been on a heightened state of alert since the recent 25 December discovery of eight rockets aimed at Israel in the southern Lebanese town of Naqura. Intense military patrols have been reported along the border. Meanwhile, protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and in support of the Palestinians continue to occur in many locations worldwide, but particularly in the Arab world. In Lebanon, where several Hizballah-organized protests have occurred, a day of mourning was observed on 31 December; most government offices were closed to show solidarity with Gaza. Also on 31 December, an unidentified individual threw a suspected explosive device at the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania. However, there was not explosion, and the man -- who had tried and failed to gain access to the embassy grounds -- was quickly detained. On 30 December protests were reported in Paris, where approximately 3,500 people marched along the Quai d'Orsay to the French foreign ministry, and in other locations in France. In London, U.K., several hundred people protested peacefully outside the Israeli Embassy. In Tehran, Iran, a group of students stormed the British diplomatic residence compound and raised the Palestinian flag before being dispersed by police officers. In Jerusalem, Israel, more than 90 people were arrested during protests in East Jerusalem neighborhoods. Demonstrations also took place in the capital cities of Tunisia, Algeria, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Denmark, Panama and Bulgaria. Protests occurred in several cities in Egypt, including Cairo, Alexandria and Assyut. Several protests occurred across the United States, where hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters held demonstrations outside the Israeli consulates in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. A protest also disrupted traffic in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. More than 1,000 protesters attended a rally in Dearborn, Michigan, which is located approximately 11 mi/18 km from Detroit and has a large Arab-American population.