Violence in Gaza

A day of resumed violence in Gaza and a return to kidnapping. Fatah and Hamas return to kidnapping each other members.
At least 4 Fatah operatives and 18 Hamas militants were kidnapped today in Gaza. 7 of the 18 Hamas kidnapees had already been released, but it is feared that the situation is on the brink of explosion.
This afternoon, a French photographer was kidnapped by masked men. It is yet unclear which organization is responsible for the kidnapping.
President Abu Mazen ordered security forces to search for the photographer.
In another incident, two mortars were fired on the house of a senior Fatah officer.

Olmert authorized action against rocket launchers

Following yesterday's rocket attack in which two teenagers were hurt, one of them critically, Prime Minister Olmert and Security Minisert Peretz authorized use of force against rocket launchers.

Israel has not responded towards rocket launches from the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire was declared a month and a half ago. In the past few days the launches increased in number and yesterday took their human toll.

The IDF and other security forces have been given leave to act against the rocket launchers specifically but otherwise to maintain the ceasefire with the Palestinians.

Olmert wishes to maintain a relative calm in order to keep Hamas out of the fighting. Islamic Jihad is responsible for the 60 rockets which were launched since the ceasefire was proclaimed.

6 Qassam rockets launched today

A Qassam rocket landed today in a strategic installation in the industrial zone of the city of Ashkelon. The rockets caused damage to buildings but no injury.

Earlier, 4 rockets were launched at the city of Sderot and another at a nearby Kibbutz. Several people suffered shock but no bodily injuries were reported.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for all the rockets. Islamic Jihad has been ignoring the ceasefire which was declared between Israel and the Palestinians and is trying to destroy the relative calm which ensued due to it.

Several cabinet ministers in Israel call for an end to the restraint policy which Israel has maintained throughout the ceasefire.

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.

Qassam rockets on Sderot and the Negev

Three Qassam rockets were launched this evening by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. One landed in a residential area in the southern city of Sderot, injuring one man. A second one landed in a kibutz and caused damage to several houses. The third landed in open area and did not cause injury or damage.

This barrage was preceded by a single rocket which was launched this morning and two yesterday, both of which landed in Sderot, causing several slight injuries.

The rate of rocket launches has increased recently as the situation within the Palestinian Authority deteriorated and many believe that it is an attempt to draw a response from Israel that would cause Fatah and Hamas to set aside their differences. So far, Israel has refrained from responding to these breaches of the ceasefire, though the number of political and military voices which call for a response is increasing.

An IDF source claims that restraint may be dangerous

A high level source within the IDF claims that Israel's restraint policy regarding the Qassam launches from Gaza since a ceasefire was declared there between Israel and the Palestinians may prove perilous.

Over 40 Qassam rockets were launched out of Gaza since the ceasefire was proclaimed. The IDF source fears that Israel's restraint may be construed as weakness by the Palestinians. Voices within the IDF call for a renewed authorization to fire upon rocket units.

Both PM Olmert and security minister Peretz have stated recently that Israel will not be able to restrain itself forever when faced by repeated rocket launches.

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.

Continued Riots in Gaza

Shots were fired on a Fatah demonstration in the North of Gaza. A few people were injured in what became a mass Fatah protest, numbering in the tens of thousands.

Earlier, 4,000 soldiers of the Presidential Guard and the al-akza brigades took control of the agriculture and transportation offices in Gaza in what the Hamas calls a military coup. Hamas appointed FM, Mahmoud al-Zahar declared in a press conference that if the offices are not vacated, the infiltrators will be disarmed and arrested.

In other skirmishes in Gaza at least 2 people were killed and a yet unclear number were injured.

Mass Hamas rally in Gaza

In a mass rally celebrating 19 years of the Hamas organization, PM Haniyeh spoke to the crowds while surrounded by a ring of bodyguards.

Haniyeh said that people join Hamas not for becoming ministers but for becoming martyrs. He was referring to the futility of the assassination attempt on his life last night, saying that no particular death will affect the Hamas.

Haniyeh said that his tour of Arab states and Iran was usccessful and that Iran promised 100 million dollars to support the Hamas government.

Haniyeh called for interior unity and a cease of civil violence. He also declared that Hamas will never recognize Israel.

In fightings between Hamas and Fatah operatives in Ramallah and the Gaza Strip at least 16 people were injured.

Fears of riots at Haniyeh's bodayguard's funeral

The funeral of Palestinian PM's, Ismail Haniyeh, bodyguard who was killed yesterday in a botched up assassination attempt on Haniyeh may become a riot catalyst. So it is reported and feared in Gaza. Haniyeh came into Gaza through the Rafah Pass yesteday after being detained in the Siani for 8 hours by Palestinian and Egyptian troops. As he came through, fire was opened on his motorcade and one of his bodyguards was killed and several others injured including Haniyeh's son.
Hamas blames Fatah for the shooting and promises retribution. Fatah officials deny any involvement in the shooting.
Tensions have already been running high in Gaza as several assassinations took place there during the past week; the last of a Hamas appointed judge just two days ago. Hamas and Fatah are in the midst of a power struggle in Gaza.

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.

Haniyeh Waits a Rafah

The standoff at Rafah continues.

Palestinian PM, Ismail Haniyeh, is still waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah pass where he is being held up for the past few hours. Haniyeh was not allowed to return to Gaza as he brought with him 35 million dollars.

Firefights erupted between Hamas supporters and Fatah supporters. Hamas supporters also fought with Egyptian border guards. At least 10 people were injured in the shooting.

The European observers who are supposed to be stationed at the Pass cannot return to their post for fear that they will be lynched by the Hamas mob (numbering in the thousands) which has gathered nearby.

Earlier, an agreement was reached in which Haniyeh was to enter Gaza but leave the money in the Siani desert, but sporadic gunfire and threats made against the observers prevent their return to the pass, so Haniyeh still waits in the Siani side of the Rafah Pass.

Peretz ordered to prevent Haniyeh from returning to Gaza

Security minister, Amir Peretz, ordered to close the Rafah Pass, which stands at the border of Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in order to prevent the return of Palestinian PM, Ismail Haniyeh to the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh is returning from a tour of several Arab states and Iran which was cut short due to the rising tensions in Gaza between Hamas and Fatah. Haniyeh, of the Hamas, is kept out of Gaza due to intelligence reports that he plans to bring with him 35 million dollars which were donated to him by Iran and other Islamic countries. Israel fears that this money will be used to buy arms and munitions for Hamas. On his trip, Haniyeh declared that Hamas will never recognize Israel.
Hamas operatives tried to break through the Rafah Pass and skirmishes developed there between them and Soldiers of the Palestinian Presidential guard.
A spokesman of the Palestinians committees of resistence swore that they will get Haniyeh into the Strip come what may, regardless of what Israel decides.
The Rafah Pass has been closed since Israeli soldeir, Gilad Shalit, was kidnapped by Palestinian Terrorists in early July.

Palestinian terrorist killed in Gaza

Today, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a lone Palestinian terrorist who approached the fence seperating the Gaza Strip from Israel. The Palestinian was armed with a rifle and grenades. No Israeli casualties were reported.
This is the first Palestinian terrorist killed by IDF troops since the beginning of the ceasefire in Gaza, this despite repeated rocket launches by the Palestinians from Gaza at the Israeli Negev.
Israel took care not to respond to the rockets in order to sustain the ceasefire, but today, as it was decided that the soldiers were under immediate threat, they were given the authorization to fire.

Fears of Palestinian Civil War

Fears that the Palestinians are headed for civil war escalated this week when two judges and the three children of a high ranking intelligence officer were killed in the Gaza strip as part of the power struggle between Fatah and Hamas. This is not the first time the two organizations have been at odds with each other and they have managed to lay their differences aside in the past, but the blood toll and the rhetoric of the past week are both warlike in nature.
All over the Gaza Strip abduction is rampant. Fatah officials run around shooting as they demand to be paid by the Hamas government. The negotiations to establish a national unity government with the Hamas and Fatah have floundered. All this does not bode well for the future of the Palestinian's in Gaza

Israel finds it harder and harder not to respond

In an interview with German reporters in Berlin, Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert said that it was harder and harder not to respond to Palestinian breaches of the ceasefire.

Yesterday, five Qassam rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip aimed at the Israeli city of Sderot. The rockets landed in open territory and caused no harm or injuries. Since the beginning of the ceasefire 23 rockets were launched by Palestinian militants from Gaza at Israel.

When asked whether Israel will respond, Olmert replied that he was aware how easy it would be to silde into overall violence and that was why Israel was restraining herself.

Olmert is visiting Germany as part of an all European diplomatic tour.

3 Qassam rockets fired on Sderot

After five days of quiet, 3 Qassam rockets were launched today by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli city of Sderot. The rockets landed in open territory and did no cause any casualties.

The Palestinian Authority blamed Islamic Jihad for breaking the ceasefire, but the terrorist group denied any connection to the shooting.

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.

Islamic Jihad: The Gaza ceasefire

Islamic Jihad, a Palenstinian terror organization, announced today that it is redrawing from the ceasefire agrement which was declared between Israel and the Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

Despite 7 rockets that were launched during the week long ceasefire, Israel chose not to respond in order to allow the Palestinian's more time to implement the ceasefire.

Islamic Jihad blamed Israel for the breakup of the ceasefire and threatened to strike at Israel within the next few hours. Islamic Jihad argued that since the ceasefire did not extend to the West Bank, something it blames Israel for, it will not stop its activity within Gaza either.

Islamic Jihad was responsible for many suicide bombings over the years inside Israel and is one of the organizations who made it a habit to launch Kassam rockets from Gaza into Israel.

Islamic Jihad does not recognize the state of Israel and its goal is the establishment of a Muslim state on its territory.