Gershon Baskin points out that the timing of of placing Israeli armour close to Gaza’s border for an expected invasion is peculiar and alleges that Jabari was preparing to sign a formal ceasefire plan when he was killed.
Baskin, who has a long background in encouraging Israeli-Palestinian contacts, believes that the failure to pursue the overtures was a lost opportunity that contributed to the outbreak of conflict.
Gershon Baskin was at the centre of attempts to open negotiations, in touch with senior members of Hamas, Israeli officials and Olmert, via the member of his family.
Peter Beaumont talks to Gershon Baskin and other leftwing Israelis about the impact of the Gaza conflict on upcoming elections
In meetings with Hamas figures, arranged through texts, calls and emails, Baskin established a kind of one-way channel of communication to the office of Israel’s prime minister