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.

Thousands visit Saddam's grave

Thousands of Iraqis, mostly Sunni, made the pilgrimage today to Saddam Hussein's grave in the town of Ouja, on the outskirts of Tikrit.

Saddam was buried in his home town, a few miles from the graves of his sons Uday and Kusay who were killed by American troops.

Saddam was hanged yesterday after an Iraqi tribunal sentenced him to death for the murder of more than a hundred people in Iraq. The complete extent of Saddam's crimes was not raised in the trial, but he is responsible for the death of over a million people.

A day of death following Saddam's hanging

At least 4 car bombs detonated in Iraq today, claiming over 60 lives and causing over 100 injuries. The explosions follow Saddam Hussein's execution earlier this morning. Saddam's followers of the Sunni faction in Iraq swear to keep fighting against the Americans and Shi'ites in Iraq.

Saddam's lawyer predicted that violence will follow the hanging of Saddam and that all those who were involved in his execution will pay dearly for their participation in it.

Mixed feelings over Saddam's execution

Shi'ites celebrated in the streets of Baghdad as news of Saddam's death circulated. Sunnis, however, mourned their leader's passing. Kurdish leaders also expressed satisfaction at the death of the "Butcher of Baghdad" and expressed the hope that his demise shall mark the turning of a new leaf in Iraq and an end to the internal bloodshed.
Sunnis criticized the time of execution, on the Muslim Holiday of Sacrifice. It is believed that Iraqi officials simply did not wish to wait fearing a wave of kidnappings and rescue attempts.