Gilad Shalit is close to being released

Kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who is being held captive for the past six months by Hamas in Gaza is to be released soon, according to Palestinian media.

The deal shall be announced in the forthcoming meeting between Ehud Olmert and Abu Mazen which is scheduled for this Thursday. According to the Palestinian media report, in the first stage, Hamas will deliver a tape proving that Shalit is alive and Israel will release several hundreds low scale Palestinian prisoners. Afterwards, Shalit will be delivered to Egyptian hands and Israel will release higher scale prisoners in return.

Ehud Olmert's spokesperson said that no breakthrough has been reached.

IDF does not fire upon Qassma launchers

The Israeli Negev had its 51 Qassam rocket impact this morning since the beginning of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians over a month ago. Israel has not responded to these breaches of the ceasefire in the hope that Abu Mazen will be able to enforce it, but to little avail so far.
Several cabinet ministers displayed anger and frustration over Israel's policy and the Palestinian rocket launches. Security Minister, Amir Peretz, reported that IDF troops do not fire upon rocket launchers in Gaza even when they spot them setting up. Peretz said that there is no proof that the restraint Israel is showing is helping the moderate Palestinians.
A few more ministers expressed opposition to the restraint policy saying that Israel cannot be made a laughing stock and that Israel should take steps to ensure the security of its citizens.
Prime Minister Olmert reported that in his meeting with Abu Mazen, last night, he told the Palestinian President that Israel's policy may indeed change if the rockets launches will continue.

Olmert and Abu Mazen met this evening

Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Abu Mazen, met this evening in Jerusalem. The meeting lasted two hours and was considered "good" by the aides of both leaders. Abu Mazen's spokesman said that agreements were reached on several issues. The two discussed the possibility of a prisoners release in exchange for kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, the ceasefire and the internal Palestinian situation.

Saib Arikat, a high ranking Palestinian official went further and announced that Israel will deliver 100 million dollars of frozen Palestinian funds to Abu Mazen and that additional meetings are due.

This meeting was long due, as both leaders expressed their desire for a meeting over the past few months. Why it took this long is anyone's guess. Recently, several figures in the international community urged both leaders to meet and talk.

This meeting was highly criticized by Hamas who does not recognize Israel.

A fragile quiet in Gaza

The calm in the Palestinian Authority is not holding up. A civilian was killed in Gaza and the bodyguard of Hamas appointed FM Mahmoud al-Zahar was kidnapped by Fatah operatives.

This is but another of a series of kidnappings in the conflict between Hamas and Fatah over who will control the Palestinian Authority.

It is estimated that the ceasefire between Hamas and Fatah will not last as Hamas is furious with President Abu Mazen due to several measures taken by him, such as refusing to approve certain appointments made by the Hamas government and his intention to call for early elections. Hamas has also annunced that it will not attend any meeting regarding the establishment of a national unity government.

King Abdullah expresses support of Abu Mazen

King Abudllah of Jordan spoke with President Abu Mazen and expressed support of the PA under his rule and the need for Palestinian unity.

Adullah called for Hamas and Fatah to put an end to the fighting between the factions.

Meanwhile fighting continued in Gaza.

Around noon there was a gunfire outside the FM building in Gaza and later in the afternoon another firefight ensued outside the presidency residence of Abu Mazen in Gaza.

The ceasefire which was proclaimed yesterday between Fatah and Hamas proved ineffectual today.

Abu Mazen calls for Olmert to meet with him

In a meeting with British PM, Tony Blair, Palestinian President, Abu Mazen, called for PM Olmert to meet with him in order to resume talks to bring about the end of the conflict between Israel and the palestinians. Abu Mazen said that only peace will ensure stability and quiet. Abu Mazen asked Blair to support efforts to bring about the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Abu Mazen called the palestinian factions to maintain the ceasefire which was proclaimed yesterday (even though fighting continued today in various locations) but said that regardless of it, the elections will be held at an earlier than planned date.

PM Blair said that his government will not negotiate with the Hamas government and that Hamas knows the way to international acceptance. Blair thanked Abu Mazen for his efforts to renew the peace process.

Blair is to meet with Israeli officials later today including FM Tzipi Livni, Security Minister, Amir Peretz, and PM Olmert.

Gaza: Is this a ceasefire?

Despite reports yesterday which stated that Fatah and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire mediated by Egyptian officials, fightings between the two factions resumed today.

Gunfire was heard near the residence of President Abu Mazen though no casualties were reported. Skirmishes broke out near the parliament building in Gaza and outside the home of Fatah most powerful man in Gaza, Muhammad Dahlan.

In Gaza city, a 16 year old boy was injured when masked Hamas operatives threw hand grenades in the center of town.

Top officials in both the Fatah and Hamas denied the existence of any ceasefire.

Hamas will boycot early elections

According to reports made by the Palestinian Foreign Office, an assassination attempt was made today on the life of Hamas appointed FM, Mahmoud al-Zahar. The reports stated that shots were fired at the car he was riding but he emerged unscathed. Al-Zahar's guards returned fire. Hamas blames Fatah for the attempt.
PM Haniyeh responded today to president's Abu Mazen speech of yesterday and announced that Hamas will not take part in an early election. This despite certain polls in the Palestinian Territories which show that Haniyeh trails Abu Mazen by a single point.
Yesterday, over 20 people were injured in fightings between Fatah and Hamas supporters.

Olmert: Not to respond to Abu Mazen's speech

Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, directed his cabinet ministers to refrain from responding or expressing their view regarding Abu Mazen's speech in which he announced his desire to call for an early election. Olmert said that any such response will only weaken Abu Mazen in the Palestinian arena as he is already accused by Hamas as a collaborator of Israel. Israel hopes that this move by Abu Mazen will prove a step in the path to renewed negotiations.

In internal news: former FM and runner up in the Likud primary, Silvan Shalom, gave an interview today in which he said that the Likud should hold an early primary and elect a new leader to rehabilitate the party which took a heavy beating in the last general elections. Shalom who lost the former primary to Benjamen Netanyahu, plans to run again.

Riots in Gaza

In response to President Abu Mazen's statements regarding his intentions to disaband the Hamas government and call for an early election, Hamas supporters in the hundreds filled the streets in Gaza, shouted slogans in support of Hamas and fired into the air.

One of the aides of PM Haniyeh said that Hamas is planning a number of demonstrations in order to show Abu Mazen that they enjoy the support of the majority and that his plan to call for an early election is unacceptable.

Abu Mazen calls for early elections

In a wrathful speech delivered today in Ramallah, President Abu Mazen announced that he plans to set an early date for elections to the Palestinian parliament and presidency. Abu Mazen criticized the Hamas government who sets spokes in the wheels of every initiative that he as president is making towards Israel. He also admonished the Hamas for its continued launching of rockets from Gaza. These rockets prevent us from developing the Gaza Strip where Israeli settlements used to stand, claimed Abu Mazen. Abu Mazen also criticized the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit and said that it has cost the Palestinians 500 dead up to today. The president continued his attack and blamed Hamas for the fightings which broke out at the Rafah Pass as Haniyeh returned to Gaza.

Abu Mazen said that he will consult with the central election comittee to set the appropriate date, but provided a way out for Hamas by saying that a national unity government is still the goal.

Abu Mazen gave his speech in front of dozens of Palestinian officials and news correspondents.

Assassination attempt on Hanieyh

After an 8 hour long delay, PM Ismail Haniyeh, crossed the Rafah Pass from the Siani into Gaza. While crossing, fire was opened on the motorcade in which he was riding.
In the crossifre which ensued, one of Haniyeh's bodyguards was killed and another was injured; A political aide was also hurt.
Another person who was wounded is the PM's 27 year old son, Abbed. According to Palestinian sources none of the injuries was grave.
The Hamas are blaming the Pesidential Guard of Abu Mazen, of the Fatah, for the attack, and demand of Abu Mazen to take immediate steps to bring those responsible to justice.
The shooting is another escalation in the struggle between Fatah and Hamas for domination in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority.

Attack on the Palestinian Minister of the Interior

Shots were fired today in Gaza on the vehicle in which Saeed Siam, the Palestinian Minister of the Interior who emerged unscathed. Siam is of the Hamas organization.

The shooters are reported to belong to or affiliated to the Fatah organization.

Hamas and Fatah are rivals for control of the Palestinian street and tensions have risen between the two groups as talks aimed at establishing a national unity government compounded by the two groups floundered lately.

The Palestinian Authority's president, Abu Mazen, of the Fatah, has come under great pressure from people of his own organization who call upon him to initiate another election. The Palestinian parliament is comprised mostly of representatives of Hamas which holds a solid majority as well as control of the government.

Advisor of Abu Mazen says that Hamas must recognize Isreal

Ahmed Abbed A-Rahman, an advisor to Palestinian president, Abu Mazen, responded today to statements made by Palestinian PM, Ismayel Haniyeh on his vist to Iran. Haniyeh declared that Hamas will never recognize Israel. A-Rahman said that Haniyeh's statement proves that Hamas cannot be part of a national unity government and that Haniyeh must accept all agreements signed by the Palestinian Authority. Haniyeh said that Hamas will not surrender an inch of the land on which Israel now stand.
This comes as once again hectic negotiations to establish a national unity government are underway between the Palestinian factions, mainly Fatah and Hamas.
Earler today tens of thousands Hamas supporters rallied in Gaza and called for Haniyeh to refuse to relinquish his seat even if it forestalls the establishment of a national unity government.

Olmert to meet with secretary Rice tomorrow

Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, is scheduled to meet with American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, tomorrow in Jerusalem. Rice is scheduled to meet with Palestinian president Abu Mazen (Mahmud Abas) earlier that same day.
Olmert and Rice are to discuss the way in which the Israeli-Palestinians negotiation may be restarted. Olmert's speech of two days ago in which he expressed that Israel would be willing to withdraw from large parts of the West Bank in return for a full and lasting peace is hoped to become the catalyst of a return to the table between the two sides.
The meeting between Olmert and Rice was not planned in advance as Olmert met with Rice during his visit to the United States two weeks ago.
A meeting between Olmert and Abu Mazen has yet to be scheduled while the ceasefire which was declared in the beginning of the week has already been broken a few times by Palestinian militants