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.

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.

A Fatah Colonel killed in Gaza

A Fatah Colonel of the Palestinian Security Forces was shot and killed this morning in Gaza.

The Colonel was riding in a car when spurts of fire were opened on it. The Colonel dies on the scene, his bodyguard an a passerby 9 year old girl were injured. No organization claimed responsibility for the incident, though the common assumption is that Hamas operatives were involved.

Earlier a gunfight ensued in the vicinity of the Presidential residence in Gaza. No injuries were reported in the skirmish.

The ceasefire which was declared two days ago lies in shambles as violence continues in Gaza and, to a lesser degree, in the West bank.

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.

Haniyeh offers a 20 year ceasefire for a state

Palestinian PM, Ismail Haniyeh of the Hamas, offers Israel a 20 years Houdna (ceasefire) if Israel will retreat to the 1967 borders and allow a Palestinian state to be established there.

Haniyeh spoke on Palestinian television after a few days of severe conflict between Hamas and Fatah.

Haniyeh rejected Abu Mazen's decision to call for early elections and said that Abu Mazen contributes to the isolation of the Palestinian government. Haniyeh declared that he returned from his diplomatic tour and managed to secure 700 million dollars for the Palestinians.

Haniyeh called for inner unity against the Israeli occupation and an end to internal conflict.

In today's fighting between Hamas and Fatah dozens were injured and at least 5 were killed.

(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)

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.

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.

Fatah and Hamas agreed on ceasefire

According to Palestinian reports, Hamas and Fatah managed to agree on a ceasefire.

The talks between the two factions were chaperoned by Egyptian officials and an agreement was concluded a short while ago. It is hoped that the agreement would prove lasting and that all violence shall cease. A third man was killed earler in the Gaza Strip as skirmishes continued.

The dead man was a Fatah officer who was gunned down by several masked men.

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.

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.

The Center of Ramallah is a closed military zone

Due to rising tensions in the Palestinian Authority, the local police declared the center of Ramallah a closed military zone. This step was staken after Hamas supporters and members of the Fatah oriented Al-Akza brigades announced that they will hold processions through the city after Friday prayers. Security personal have already deployed in the city, while in earler gunfire 6 people were injured.

Tensions between Hamas and Fatah, high to begin with, rose to a peak after the failed assassination attempt on Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian PM, yesterday in Gaza.

Hamas swore retribution and blames Mohammad Dahlan, chief of security in Gaza and member of Fatah, for the attempt. In addition, fighting took place in several locations in the Gaza Strip.

Many in Israel and elsewhere believe that the Palestinians are well on their way to an all out civil war.

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.

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.

Peres addresses the Saban Forum

Former Israeli PM and minister, Shimon Peres, addressed Saban Forum today in Washington DC. Peres stated that the concept of peace in return for territories does not hold when dealing with Hamas whose goal is to establish an Islamic radical state over all of Israel. For Hamas, Peres argued, the destruction of Israel is more important than the establishment of a Palestinian state.

On the subject of Iran, Peres maintained that its apparent strength stems from the weakness of the international community and the disunity it presents when dealing with the rogue nation.

Regarding Syria Peres said that Israel's northern neighbour wants Israel to open doors for her in Washington and is not interested in a true negotiation. Syria hosts several headquarters of known terrorist organization such as Hamas and sends arms to Hezbollah.

Iran is a threat not just to Israel

Israel's foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, indirectly responded to the main supposition in the Baker-Hamilton report which made a connection between the situation in Iraq and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Tzipi spoke in the Saban Forum in Washington DC and stated that the problems in the Middle East today do not stem from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The situation today, Livni claimed, changes the way factions are made in the Middle East. Israel today stands side by side with moderate Arab nations and the conflict is with Islamic radicalism. Iran is not a threat just to Israel, Tzipi said, no moderate wants to see Iran or Hezbollah or Hamas, succeed. This is the constant Israeli position of emphasizing the threat of a nuclear Iran to all the region and the world and not just for Israel.

Tzipi was the keynote speaker in the forum which was established by Israeli billionaire, Haim Saban.

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.