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Gaza truce shaken; Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for Qassam attack on Sderot
Islamic Jihad's military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, claimed responsibility Sunday for a Qassam rocket attack on Sderot earlier in the day.
In response to the attack, Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday ordered all Israel-Gaza border crossings closed. The Qassam exploded in a field in the southern town and sparked a brushfire, a fresh violation of an Israel-Hamas truce in the Gaza Strip.
Alongside Islamic Jihad's claim of responsibility, another Palestinian militant group affiliated with the secular Fatah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, warned that the June cease-fire with Israel is close to ending. Islamic Jihad's military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, claimed responsibility Sunday for a Qassam rocket attack on Sderot earlier i... more -
Hamas thriving, Palestinians dying
A few days ago, a striking statement was made by Palestinian sources in Damascus through Asharq Al-Awsat, suggesting that the Hamas Islamic movement is financially thriving.
At a time when the people of Gaza were left without a loaf of bread, Hamas was paying approximately 18,000 militants who are associated with the movement- what amounts to 16 million dollars a month.
This statement comes at a time when United Nations Special Humanitarian Envoy, Mr. Abdulaziz Arrukban, highlighted to the Kuwaiti "Alqabas" newspaper the tragic Palestinian humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and how 60 percent of the population survives on 1.5 dollars per day, while 80 percent solely depend on aid for survival.
This is a puzzling matter; who should we believe? The UN special envoy speaking of a tragic situation in Gaza, or rival Palestinian sects accusing the brotherhood movement of financial gluttony?
Bewildered by the conflicting statements of Hamas's opponents and the international envoy, I came across a statement by the official spokesman of the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, which helped put things nicely into perspective.
Abu Obaida, spokesperson of the Al Qassam Brigades revealed that his group has developed into an army similar to major professional armies, in terms of the level of preparation and precision, which was achieved by the recruitment of many of Gaza's youths; the movement continues to recruit youth and develop its capabilities and its fighters.
So how can there be talk of lifting the Gaza siege and relieving the distress of its people, while Hamas concentrates all its efforts on recruiting and providing for its thousands of fighters. It is clear that Hamas's priority is to look after its militants, at the expense of Gaza's people and their suffering! Isn't this a deliberate exploitation of their humanitarian suffering, their poverty and need?
This also raises a pressing question regarding the ceasefire which Hamas committed to with Israel. Was it to relieve the suffering of Gaza's people and bring some order to their lives after a long period of agony? or was it a chance by Hamas to exploit and consolidate its coup against the Palestinian Authority, as well as suppressing their opponents in Gaza by firing them from their jobs in education, healthcare and other institutions in Gaza in an effort to impose its brotherhood's ideology?!
Aside from the movement's power reinforcement in Gaza, it is obvious that the Hamas truce (as I mentioned in a previous article) comes with the instructions of keeping a low profile in Lebanon, Gaza, and other places, while all considerations indicate that Hamas's Leaders last concern is the Gaza people's suffering.
Hamas has learned nothing from its past mistakes, and will reverse its coup and its dividing of the Palestinian front. Equally, it is not concerned with the suffering of Gaza's people, while their talk of dialogue and negotiations with Fatah is disingenuous and merely a time-stalling tactic.
However, Hamas and its policies are not to be blamed, but those who fund it, and support it politically. They are the beneficiaries of the Palestinian cause and partners in the suffering of Gaza's people. A few days ago, a striking statement was made by Palestinian sources in Damascus through Asharq Al-Awsat, suggesting that the Hamas Is... more -
It's Back-to-School for Palestinians, Despite Hardships
As one million Palestinian children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip prepare to return to school next week, UN agencies and the Palestinian Ministry of Education have been stressing the problems schoolchildren face in the occupied Palestinian territory [oPt].
"We should celebrate - in spite of all the hardships - going back to school," said Filippo Grandi, the deputy-commissioner of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, at a press conference held under the banner of "Unite for Education".
At the same time he noted that 76 Palestinian children had been killed so far this year, a 50 percent rise on last year.
UN officials and Lamis El-Alami, minister of education in the Ramallah-based caretaker government of the Palestinian Authority (PA), said the Israeli imposed system of roadblocks, walls and checkpoints was impeding Palestinian movement in the West Bank, while the Gaza Strip was still under a tight blockade.
"We have not yet seen the positive impact of the ceasefire on the regular people, the children," said Grandi, referring to an agreement between Hamas, which rules Gaza, and Israel to end hostilities.
UNRWA-run remedial classes
This time last year UNRWA was reporting a substantial drop in the number of children passing their examinations in the enclave, particularly in Arabic and mathematics, but Grandi said that as part of UNRWA's summer programme, remedial classes were offered to weaker students, allowing 80 percent of them to catch up and rejoin their peers in the new school year.
The UN Children's Fund's (UNICEF's) Patricia McPhillips said her agency ran youth centres with the PA to help adolescents failing in school.
"Education is a lifeline, a much needed semblance of normalcy," she said, saying that children's lives in the oPt were "framed by conflict, occupation and the fast growing poverty around them".
McPhillips said education was the "most important investment in the future".
In a territory where over half the population is under 18, children need all they can to get ahead. Grandi stressed that this included peace, as otherwise education could not be fully utilized. **continues** As one million Palestinian children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip prepare to return to school next week, UN agencies and the Palesti... more -
150 Palestinians escaped to Israel after fleeing Gaza violence
Over 150 members of the Fatah-linked Hilles clan fled the Gaza Strip on Saturday and entered Israel, after a day of clashes with the ruling Hamas faction had left at least nine people dead and more than 80 wounded.
Hamas security forces and members of the Hilles clan exchanged mortar shell and machine gun fire all day Saturday in the most violent round yet of Hamas' weeklong crackdown on political rival Fatah.
Twelve of the wounded were children, hospital officials said, and eight people were in critical condition.
With Saturday's violence, the current round of Hamas-Fatah tensions threatened to spiral out of control ... Over 150 members of the Fatah-linked Hilles clan fled the Gaza Strip on Saturday and entered Israel, after a day of clashes with the r... more -
Top Fatah officials held in Gaza
A number of top representatives of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas have been arrested in the Gaza Strip, officials from his Fatah movement say.
Fatah officials Ibrahim Abu Naja and Zakaria Agha were among those detained as part of a continuing Hamas crackdown following a coastal bombing last week.
Mr Abbas appointed the two men to run Fatah in Gaza when the Islamist Hamas seized control of the area in 2007.
Fatah says dozens of its men are being held, but Hamas has not given a number.
A Hamas spokesman said the latest arrests were in response to the detentions of Hamas men in the West Bank.
Read more... A number of top representatives of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas have been arrested in the Gaza Strip, officials from his Fatah mov... more -
Shooting back: 100 cameras film Israeli occupation
Guardian: Palestinians film abuse from settlers and Israeli military with cameras supplied by B'Tsele.
Shooting back: Israeli occupation filmed by 100 Palestinian cameras In a graphic and hard-hitting film, Peter Beaumont speaks to Palestinians filming abuse from settlers and Israeli armed forces as part of a remarkable project called Shooting Back Guardian: Palestinians film abuse from settlers and Israeli military with cameras supplied by B'Tsele. ... more -
Bombs in Gaza, Parties in Ramallah
The car bomb that exploded last weekend in the Gaza Strip killed not only six Palestinians, but seems to have completely wiped out any hope of ending the ongoing strife between Hamas Islamists and Fatah secular loyalists.
Tensions have greatly increased since the incident. According to sources in Gaza, Hamas officials have set up roadblocks across the Strip to check for guns, explosives, and suspects. The atmosphere of fear and suspicion in the early days of the Hamas takeover has returned to the streets and at least six people were wounded last Sunday as clashes broke out in Gaza City after Hamas-run security forces battled members of the Army of Islam group.
In the West Bank, the story is more complicated..........
"Rinat Malkes " The car bomb that exploded last weekend in the Gaza Strip killed not only six Palestinians, but seems to have completely wiped out any... more -
The Under Ground Smugglers
Durring the Israeli seige on Gaza Strip since Hamas Took Control over Gaza , The palestinians had no other way to survive ,they start Digging tunnels between Gaza and Egypt to smuggle their needs of food , fuel and other stuff . Durring the Israeli seige on Gaza Strip since Hamas Took Control over Gaza , The palestinians had no other way to survive ,they start... more
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German TV closes offices in Gaza after arrest of photojournalist
Bethlehem - Ma'an - German TV (ARD) closed their office in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The action is in protest of the detention of their photojournalist Sawwah Abu Seif who was arrested on 25 July while covering the explosion of a Hamas car near the beach in the Gaza Strip.
Abu Seif was detained by de facto government security, no charged have been laid.
The ARD office, now closed, was located in central Gaza city in the Ash-Shawwa building, where Ma'an, Al-Jazeera and Ramatan have their Gaza offices. "We are sorry to have to make this decision," the station said in a statement, adding that they had decided to "stop operating in the Gaza Strip until Sawwah Abu Seif is released." Bethlehem - Ma'an - German TV (ARD) closed their office in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The action is in protest of the detention... more -
Mysterious blasts: is Gaza Iraq no. two?
Hamas security arrested over 120 supporters of the rival Fatah group early Saturday, Fatah said, following a mysterious beachside blast that killed five Hamas members and a 6-year-old girl. The cause of the blast remained unclear, though the circumstances suggested it was not set off inadvertently by militants mishandling explosives.
The explosion went off late Friday in a car parked near a crowded Gaza City beach. Hamas said that at the time, a group of Hamas activists was picnicking on the beach.
Three Hamas members, including a field commander, and the girl were killed immediately. Hospital officials said two more Hamas activists died of injuries Saturday. Fifteen people were wounded, three of them in serious condition. Hamas security arrested over 120 supporters of the rival Fatah group early Saturday, Fatah said, following a mysterious beachside blas... more -
Gaza blockade set to be eased
Israel is expected to begin gradually reopening crossings into the Gaza Strip as a truce between the government and Palestinian armed groups enters its fourth day.
The easing of Israel's siege on Sunday is expected to allow a 30 per cent increase in basic goods entering the strip.
Aid agencies say the amount is below the level needed to meet residents' basic daily needs.
(End of excerpt)
Full story at link by Al Jazeera and agencies
Photo by AFP Israel is expected to begin gradually reopening crossings into the Gaza Strip as a truce between the government and Palestinian armed... more -
Israel and Hamas 'agree truce'
Israel and militant group Hamas have agreed to end months of bitter clashes with a truce starting on Thursday, Palestinian officials say.
A Hamas official said he was confident all militant groups in Gaza would abide by the agreement, brokered by Egypt. Israeli officials said Israel was "looking to see if this is serious".
Earlier at least six Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Gaza. Israel said it had targeted "terror operatives". Islamic Jihad said a missile struck a car carrying five of its members near Khan Younis. A sixth man died in a separate strike nearby.
The truce is due to come into effect at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday. As well as a halt to all hostilities, this stage of the deal also envisages a partial reopening of Gaza's borders.
A second stage of the plan would focus on the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and on a deal to reopen the main Rafah crossing into Egypt. Israel and militant group Hamas have agreed to end months of bitter clashes with a truce starting on Thursday, Palestinian officials s... more -
Gaza journalists protest the killing of Reuters cameraman
Journalists protest in Gaza and call upon Israel to explain the killing of Reuters cameraman, Fadel Shana, two months ago.
Foreign and local journalists staged a protest in Gaza City exactly two months after the 24-year-old Palestinian cameraman was killed by an Israeli tank shell.
An Israeli government spokesman says the cameraman wasn't identified as journalist, despite clear markings.
An independent investigation commissioned by the London-based news agency found that no fighting or militant activity was taking place in the area at the time, leaving unanswered the key question of why the tank opened fire. Journalists protest in Gaza and call upon Israel to explain the killing of Reuters cameraman, Fadel Shana, two months ago. ... more -
Al Jazeera reports Arabs shocked by Obama speech
Arab leaders have reacted with anger and disbelief to an intensely pro-Israeli speech delivered by Barack Obama, the US Democratic presumptive presidential nominee.
Obama told the influential annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Council (Aipac): "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided."
His comments appalled Palestinians who see occupied East Jerusalem as part of a future Palestinian state.
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, told Al Jazeera on Thursday: "This is the worst thing to happen to us since 1967 ... he has given ammunition to extremists across the region".
"What really disppoints me is that someone like Barack Obama, who runs a campaign on the theme of change - when it comes to Aipac and what's needed to be said differently about the Palestinian state, he fails."
"I say to Obama ... please stop being more Israeli than the Israelis themselves, leave the Israelis and Palestinians alone to make decisions required for peace."
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, rejected the statement, saying: "We will not accept an independent Palestinian state without having Jerusalem as the capital.
"I believe that case is clear."
He said: "Jerusalem is part of the six points that are subjects on the negotiations' agenda.
"And the whole world knows that East Jerusalem, Arab Jerusalem and Holy Jerusalem were occupied in 1967."
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Full story at link.
(Source: Al Jazeera and agencies) Arab leaders have reacted with anger and disbelief to an intensely pro-Israeli speech delivered by Barack Obama, the US Democratic pre... more -
Will Gaza ever get a whiff of its offshore gas?
Gaza's gas... isn't this home-grown source of energy something the Palestinians should be in charge of?
Yes, but the way things are shaping it'll probably be stolen from them just like their lands, their homes and their precious water.
The Gaza marine gas field lies 25 to 30 kilometers off Gaza's shore. In 1999 the BG Group obtained licences to Israeli offshore concessions, and shortly afterwards was awarded the Gaza licence, for a period of 25 years. BG holds 90% equity in the licence, but this could reduce to 60% if the Consolidated Contractors Company (its current 10% partner) and the Palestine Investment Fund exercise their options.
In 2005, at the time of Israel's 'disengagement’ from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians decided to drop plans to sell gas to Israel and talked with Egypt instead. The position changed again when Tony Blair, Israel's ever-faithful dogsbody and now the Quartet's special envoy to the Middle East, personally intervened on Israel's behalf. No-one is saying how much Egypt's EGAS was offering and there is speculation that Blair was sent in to persuade the Palestinians to accept a weaker Israeli bid.
After talking with Michael Barron, BG’s Policy and Corporate Affairs Manager, I understand negotiations are suspended because gas prices and commercial terms cannot be agreed. In any case, there needs to be a change in Israel's gas law to enable the Israeli government to act as a seller in its own market, and the necessary procedural steps could take some time. Overarching issues on how funds flow back to Palestine and how they are used, also have to be addressed.
In the meantime the feasibility of supplying the Egyptian market is still being explored.
The Gaza gas field is estimated to hold 1 trillion cubic feet of gas worth some $4 billion in revenue. It would take 4 years to bring on stream. With production at economically commercial levels it is expected to last 15 years and generate $2 billion in profit, half of this for the Palestinians. Israel would take an undisclosed percentage of the product, certainly much more that the Palestinians' requirement.
The plan is to pipe the gas from source direct to an on-shore terminal at Ashkelon in Israel. A separate pipe will run from the terminal to Gaza. BG will be the operator, with Israel providing a raft of assurances regarding uninterrupted supply to Gaza and the West Bank and uninterrupted flow of profits to the Palestinians.
Come again? BG is going to land Palestine’s one and only natural resource on Israeli territory for processing and distribution…? The same Israel that's starving Gazans into submission, blitzing them in their prison-home and trashing their economy? The same Israel that continues to murder and imprison whomsoever it wishes and steal whatever it wants? The same Israel that has no regard for international law and human rights? The same Israel that has blocked the flow of Palestinian tax and customs revenues, humanitarian aid and hospital supplies? The same Israel that will not recognise Palestine or its democratic choices? Gaza's gas... isn't this home-grown source of energy something the Palestinians should be in charge of? ... more -
Hamas bans porn in Gaza Strip
According to reports from a government official, Islamist group Hamas has ordered a Palestinian telecoms company to block all porn site access in the Gaza Strip.
The move is to 'protect the Palestinian community from cultural pollution and to protect the young generations from the misuse of the Internet through viewing pornographic sites,' according to a Hamas government spokesman. According to reports from a government official, Islamist group Hamas has ordered a Palestinian telecoms company to block all porn sit... more -
France Admits Contacts With Hamas
France confirmed Monday that it had been engaged in contacts with the leaders of Hamas, the radical Islamic group that is running Gaza, for several months to try to better understand its positions.
The Bush administration, which recently likened talks with Hamas and other groups to appeasement of the Nazis, criticized the French for the contacts, calling them unhelpful. There was no immediate comment from the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, who has said he will not talk to Hamas, which he accuses of carrying out a bloody coup in Gaza last June.
The French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, said there had been no negotiations with Hamas, labeled a terrorist group by the United States, Israel and the European Union. France confirmed Monday that it had been engaged in contacts with the leaders of Hamas, the radical Islamic group that is running Gaza... more -
Israel urged to end blockade of Gaza as talks begin in London
Israel will be urged today to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip to avert a humanitarian disaster as the Middle East "quartet" meets to consider the state of the faltering peace process.
Oxfam and five other UK aid agencies are calling for the quartet to end its "complacency" by putting the "highest diplomatic pressure" on Israel over its strategy of isolating the Islamist movement Hamas at meetings in London on the Annapolis negotiations and Palestinian economic development in the West Bank.
"The collective complacency of the quartet is putting the future of the people of Gaza on the line," said Oxfam GB director Barbara Stocking. "We need the fuel, humanitarian supplies and essential equipment withheld by Israel for more than nine months to ease this human suffering and avert a disaster.
"It is well within the power of the EU and the US to make this happen ... They should insist on an immediate end to Gaza's suffering."
But there is no sign that the quartet - the US, Russia, the EU and the UN - will drop the principle of boycotting Hamas while Israeli officials and some western diplomats blame the group for attacking the Gaza crossing points and not distributing available fuel. The EU recently noted Hamas's "share" in the crisis. Israel will be urged today to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip to avert a humanitarian disaster as the Middle East "quartet�... more -
Israel Snubs Hamas Offer of Six-Month Gaza Truce
Hamas has offered a six month truce in Gaza and to facilitate peace talks, however Israel claims that Hamas is just trying to regroup. A condition of the truce would end the embargo on Gaza, and Israel fears that Hamas will use that time to resupply and prepare for another attack.
The offer also stands in stark contrast between previous demands that all agreements between Hamas and Israel apply both to Gaza and the West bank. Hamas has offered a six month truce in Gaza and to facilitate peace talks, however Israel claims that Hamas is just trying to regroup.... more -
"Occupation 101: Voices of the Silenced Majority"
"A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.
The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.
The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.
Occupation 101 features a leading list of some of the most credible Middle East scholars, historians, peace activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers." "A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.... more
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