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.

Two teenagers gravely injured by Qassam

It is safe to say that the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians is at an end or so it will be come morning.
Two 14 year old boys who were studying together for an exam were struck by the Qassam rocket which landed this evening in Sderot. The two boys were struck by shrepnel, one in the right foot and the other suffered massive injuries. The two boys were rushed to hospital. One of them is in critical condition.
Olmert will convene an emergency session of the cabinet tomorrow in order to decide upon an adequate response to this attack. Over the past few days, growing voices within Israel's political and military arena called for an end to the restraint Israel has imposed upon itself. It is safe to say that this shall now come to pass.
This was the 7th Qassam launch out of Gaza today. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attacks.

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.

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.

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.

Two Islamic Jihad terrorists killed by IDF

In an operation of the Israeli Anti-Terrorism unit, the Yamam, in the West Bank earlier today, two Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed. The two were involved in the planning and execution of several suicide bombings in Israel.

An IDF commander was suspended due to an incident yesterday in which a 14 year old Palestinian girl was killed. The girl was hit in the crossfire as IDF troops shot and killed two Fatah operatives in the West Bank. The incident is under investigation.

Assad and Olmert deny any letter

The letter which Syrian President, Bashar Assad, supposedly sent to Israeli PM, Ehud Olmert in which he urged him to begin negotiations without any preliminary conditions and promised to restrain Hamas and to stop weapon smuggling to Hezbollah through Syria, simply did not exist.
Both Olmert and Assad denied any such letter. Olmert was the first to deny it through his aides earlier this morning and he was backed by Assad this evening while on a state visit to Russia.
The "letter" was reported by Arab television this morning and aroused enthusiastic responses in the Israeli political arena.
Throughout the day analysts doubted the existence of such a letter as it appeared that Assad would never have promised so much before negotiations even begun.


(editorial note: I would appreciate it if you, the reader, would take the time to participate in the Webpoll I published on the right hand side of this blog)

Olmert met with King Abdullah

PM Olmert met with Jordan's king Abdullah secretly in Amman. The two discussed the frozen peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and the need to get it going once again.

Abdullah is concerned that a deterioration in the situation in the West Bank may start a surge of refugees to his realm. Jordan has a large population of Palestinians and the regime is worried that more will destabilize its control.

Abdullah called on Israel to examine favorably the initiative of the Arab League which called for a complete peaceful solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Abdullah expressed support of the establishment of a Palestinian state and said that it is the only solution that will bring peace and stability for the entire region.

The two also discussed trade issues between Israel and Jordan.

Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994.

(editorial note: I posted a Webpoll on the right hand side of the blog and would appreciate your participation)

This is 1938 and Iran is Germany

In a meeting with 60 ambassadors and foreign emissaries, former PM, Benjamen Netanyahu, urged his audience to not stand idly by but to act to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear state. Netanyahu compared Iran to Nazi Germany and the time to 1938, the eve of World War II, meaning that it is not to late to stop the Iranian program but that time is indeed running short.

Netanyahu said that the longer the stick with which the Iranians would be threatened the lesser the chances of its ever being put to use.

According to a review given by head of Mossad yesterday, Iran will achieve a fully functional bomb by 2009, giving roughly a 1000 days to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear state.

Iran's president has repeatedly threatened to wipe Israel off the map.

So far, efforts to impose sanctions on Iran have failed due to the opposition of Russia and China.

Olmert: We desire peace, Syria does not

In a meeting today with several members of the American Congress, PM Olmert responded to recent Syrian peace overtures. Olmert said that he wishes for peace with Syria, but Syria continues to support extremists in Lebanon and Iraq, hosts terrorists in Damascus and is an ally of Iran.

Olmert said he wishes to meet with Abu Mazen in the near future and that Israel maintains the ceasefire with the Palestinians despite repeated rocket launches by the latter.

The members of Congress expressed disapproval of negotiations with Syria at this time and the necessity of isolating Iran. Olmert called for sanctions on Iran who is trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction and wishes to wipe Israel off the map.

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.

Powell: USA should talk with Syria

The former Secretary of State of the Bush administration, Colin Powell, criticized his former boss by saying that America should talk with Syria. Powell reminisced about his days as Secretary of State in which he traveled to Damascus twice and America held open conenctions with the Syrians. Powell stated that at least on one occasion the Syrians proved able to ameliorate the explosive situation which existed on the Lebanese border between Israel and Hezbollah.

Powell's statements come in the wake of several peace overtures made by Syria towards Israel.

No reason to hold negotiations with Syria

According to a top aide of PM, Ehud Olmert, there is not reason to hold negotiations with Syria at this time. The aide said that the preliminary conditions of Israel had already been passed to Syria which has done nothing towards fulfilling them. In fact, Syria is supposedly placing spokes in the wheels of the efforts to establish a national unity government in the Palestinian Territories and delivers arms to Hezbollah or does nothing to stop arms from flowing to the Lebanese terror group through its borders. The aide also doubted whether such negotiations will prompt Syria to sever its ties with Iran and allow its removal from Bush's Axis of Evil.
Olmert had earlier today expressed the view that Israel should not start negotiations with Syria when President Bush refuses to talk to Syria himself.



Editorial note: Syria was not originally a member of Bush's Axis of Evil

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.

Syria: The Golan Heights is not a preliminary condition

Syria continues it peace overtures to Israel: Syrain FM, Walid Mualem, in an interview to the Daily Star, said that the return of the Golan Heights is not a preliminary condition in a future negotiation between Israel and Syria. Up to now, it has always been Syria's position that the return of the Golan Heights must be the known conclusion of a negotiation between it and Israel.

Mualem's statements come in the wake of Assad's statement in which he urged Israeli PM, Olmert, to take a chance on him and see that his intentions are true. Mualem emphasized that he expresses his leader's view.

Mualem also said that Syria is eager to work constructively with Washington to solve the crisis in Iraq and does not wish to reestablish its stronghold in Lebanon as a return.

Mualem said that the Middle East is at a crossroads: either the area will return to stability, or will plummet to inter-religious wars.

Mualem's statements are a complete opposite of those he expressed after the war between Israel and Hezbollah last summer, in which he said that there is now a window of opportunity for a few months to settle the issue of the Golan Heights by peace or the countdown for a new Israeli-Syria war will commence.

Assad urges Olmert to see if he is serious

In an interview to Italian newspaper, La Republica, Syrian president, Assad, said that the USA and Europe will have to talk with Syria and Iran in order solve the crisis in Iraq.

Assad also urged Olmert to take a chance on him and see that his intentions are serious. Assad was referring to some peace overtures the Syrian President made in the past months.

Assad said that Syria is willing to work constructively with Washington to solve regional issues, for if the conflicts in the region in Iraq, Lebanon and the Israeli-palestinian conflict the neighbouring countries will pay the price.

Over the past months Assad made references to the Golan Heights and said that if no negotiation will be initiated to return it to Syria, it will have to do it by force.

Compromise in the Labor Party

In the Labor Party conference which was held yesterday, a compromise was reached between supporters of Amir Peretz, (top photo) the chairman of Labor, and his opponents, headed by former Admiral, Ami Ayalon (lower photo), who has already made it clear that he plans to run against Peretz in the next primary elections.

The date of the primary elections will remain the 28th of May, 2007. Peretz hoped to postpone the election as his public status is very bad since the war with Hezbollah last summer.

However, Peretz had been granted a leave of 6 weeks, until the 30th of January, in which new members may be enrolled into the party. Ayalon hoped that the membership books would be closed in two weeks as formerly decided. Peretz, a master at subscribing, has his work cut out for him, and he had already made it clear that he plans to enroll 50,000 new members.

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.