10 mei 2011
Arab League chief: Hamas not a terror group
Amr Moussa tells Washington Post, 'The view that Hamas is a terrorist organization is a view that pertains to a minority of countries, not a majority'.
WASHINGTON – Arab League Secretary-General and one of Egypt's leading presidential candidates Amr Moussa does not believe Hamas is a terrorist organization.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Moussa said: "The view that Hamas is a terrorist organization is a view that pertains to a minority of countries, not a majority. Being a terrorist is not a stigma forever."
The former Egyptian foreign minister also said Israel should be pressured into lifting the Gaza blockade and stressed that Egypt must improve its relations with Tehran. The issue of Iran's nuclear program is separate from Israel's nuclear program, he said.
"Iran is not the natural enemy of Arabs, and it shouldn’t be. We have a lot to gain by peaceful relations — or less tense relations — with Iran," he said. "The nuclear issue in the Middle East means Israel and then Iran."
Moussa endorsed relations with the US based on the changing reality in Egypt which take into consideration the Egyptian people's views.
Referring to the peace treaty with Israel, Moussa said he seeks relations between the Arab world and Jerusalem based on the 2002 Arab peace initiative.
He accused ousted President Hosni Mubarak of unjustly separating Egypt's relations with the Arab world from the Palestinian issue. "Egypt conducted its relations in the region in a way that the people did not accept. Egyptian-Arab relations is one thing; the Palestinian question is another."
He further added: "Blocking Gaza and enforcing the siege along Gaza — people didn’t like that. We should have insisted and used Egyptian-Israeli relations to try and undo and put an end to the siege that caused a lot of suffering to the people of Gaza."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4066728,00.html
28 mei 2011
Army: Rocket fired from Gaza into Israel
JERUSALEM (AFP) -- A rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel overnight without causing any casualties, Israel's military said on Saturday.
"A rocket fired from Gaza landed last night in the Eshkol region and caused no injuries or damage," a military spokesman told AFP.
It was the first rocket to have been fired in nearly a month and a half.
In mid-April, a rocket-propelled grenade struck an Israeli school bus, killing a teenager and triggering the deadliest clashes since Israel's devastating 22-day assault on the Palestinian territory to stop such attacks in 2008-2009.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=391674
31 mei 2011
3 killed in blast at Gaza training camp
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Three men were killed Tuesday in an explosion at a resistance training ground in the southern Gaza Strip.
Popular Resistance Committees spokesman Abu Mujahid told Ma'an that three men affiliated with the group were killed in a blast at the Abu Ataya training ground in Tel Sultan, west of Rafah.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion but the Israeli military said it was not responsible.
Abu Mujahid identified those killed as Younis Abu An-Naja, Ramzi Abu Harb, and Mahmoud Al-Arqan.
He said a fourth man sustained wounds and was taken to the Abu Yousif An-Najjar Hospital in Rafah.
On Friday, two fighters affiliated with Hamas were killed in an explosion in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
On Oct. 20, 13 Palestinians civilians were injured by an explosion of undetermined origin in a Hamas security services building in Tel Sultan.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=392546
2 juni 2011
Scottish councilor: Hamas are freedom fighters
Hamas gunmen - Freedom fighters?
Scottish boycott leader backs Hamas, says equality and justice ‘words unknown to Zionists’; Councilor Jim Bollan tells Ynetnews terror group ‘elected with a bigger majority than the Israeli government’.
A Scottish politician playing a leading role in an anti-Israel boycott says members of terror group Hamas are “freedom fighters” who are “fighting an illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.”
Councilor James Bollan’s remarks, contained in email correspondence with Jewish activists, were published by the Cif Watch blog. Bollan, a member of the Scottish Socialist Party, is a councilor in West Dunbartonshire, which has imposed a boycott on all goods produced in Israel, including books.
In an exchange with anti-boycott activist Stephen Franklin following the uproar over the Scottish decision, Bollan had this to say about the Palestinian terror group: “Hamas was elected and are freedom fighters alongside the Palestinians fighting an illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.”
In another email exchange, with Martin Sugarman, Chair of the Hackney Anglo-Israel Twinning Association, Bollan wrote: “Scots believe in equality and justice…words unknown to Zionists.”
Responding to a Ynetnews inquiry, Bollan confirmed that the statements attributed to him were accurate, and added the following: “One important point I made that strangely was not published along with my comments on the enclosed blog was that Hamas was elected with a bigger majority than the Israeli government.”
Following earlier reports of the West Dunbartonshire boycott, and the uproar over the decision to ban Israeli books as well, regional council Spokesman Malcolm Bennie said: "The municipality will not boycott Israeli books printed in Britain, only books that were printed in Israel.”
At the time, Bennie admitted that Israel is the only country being boycotted by the council, adding that the municipality had no intention of issuing a ban on products originating from Iran, Syria or Libya.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4077577,00.html
6 juni 2011
Report: Fatah vows retaliation for Naksa Day deaths
BEIRUT, Lebanon (Ma'an) -- Fatah's armed group will determine the "right time and place" to retaliate inside Palestine for the deaths of Palestinian refugees by Israeli fire along the Syria-Israel ceasefire line, an official was reported saying in southern Lebanon on Monday
“Palestine will be liberated through resistance because negotiations are useless,” Fatah leader in Lebanon Muneer Maqdah was quoted by the country's daily news site NOW Lebanon as saying during a rally to mourn what Syrian state television said were 23 marchers killed by Israeli fire during a protest rally the day before.
He called the incident, which saw hundreds mass at the Syria-Israel ceasefire line in the Golan Heights and march over the frontier toward lands occupied by Israel on 5 June 1967, "the massacre in Golan, Maroun Ar-Ras and Palestine," the report said.
Palestinians in the Saida refugee camp in southern Lebanon reportedly went on strike for the day, in protest against the deaths.
NOW Lebanon reported the closure of all educational, social and medical institutions inside the refugee camps in the south, and blockade of their entrances with burning tires.
The news report said the refugees were angered over the death of what Syrian TV said was 23 pro-Palestinian supporters in a march that saw hundreds attempt to breach the ceasefire line between the Syrian Golan Heights and the Israeli occupied section of the plateau.
The march - commemorating the 44th anniversary of Israel's occupation of the Golan - was a repeat of a march that took place on 15 May, commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the forced exile of 800,000 Palestinian refugees during fighting that preceded the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
During the May march, Palestinian refugees and their supporters from Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza all marched toward the borders of Israel and demanded their right of return to their homes. Four were killed on the Syrian border and ten in Lebanon by Israeli fire.
Protesters from Lebanon were expected to march once again to the border with Israel on Sunday, but were prevented from accessing the south by forces from the Lebanese army.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=394201
Gaza factions condemn Naksa day deaths
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) – Islamic factions in the Gaza Strip issued a statement Monday demanding the "right of Palestinians to live on their lands and to have liberty and freedom."
The statement came in response to the death of what Syrian television said was 23 Palestinians and their supporters along the country's border with Israel the day before.
In the statement the factions jointly condemned the killings, which Israel refutes saying no more than ten were killed and mostly by landmines in the ceasefire zone, and call on the international community to "condemn the crimes committed by Israel."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=394350
10 juni 2011
Cairo denies reports of arms smuggling through Egypt
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- Military leaders in the Sinai Peninsula on Friday denied allegations that new smuggling routes had been established through Egypt into Gaza.
The Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv on Friday said Israeli security officials had received information that weapons were being smuggled from Libya to the Gaza Strip via Egypt.
According to the report, the uprising against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi had allowed the flow of arms into the hands of arms dealers and "terror organizations" in Libya.
Grad rockets with ranges of 60 - 70 kilometers, rifles and ammunition were being smuggled through Egypt and into Gaza via underground tunnels, the report said.
Egyptian military sources denied the report, and said no weapons entered Egypt from Libya, noting that officers inspected all passengers entering from Libya through As-Saloum crossing.
The sources added that Egyptian security guards recently seized eight tons of drugs at the crossing.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=395509
Report: Arms smuggled into Gaza from Libya
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israel is concerned that unrest in Libya has created a new smuggling route for weapons into Gaza, Hebrew-language media reported Friday.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv said fighting against Moammar Gadhafi's regime in Libya had weakened the leader's control and allowed the flow of weapons into the hands of arms dealers and "terror organizations."
Weapons were smuggled from Libya through Egypt and into Gaza via underground tunnels, the report said.
According to Maariv, Egyptian authorities were trying to intercept the weapons, but many convoys managed to reach Gaza.
Hundreds of Grad rockets with ranges of 60 - 70 kilometers had been smuggled into Gaza in recent weeks, strengthening Hamas and posing a serious threat to Israel, the newspaper reported.
Short-range rockets, rifles and ammunition had also been smuggled into the coastal enclave, the report said.
Israeli officials had received information that Russian-made anti-tank missiles that had been sold to Libya were now in the hands of rebel forces in the south, the newspaper said, adding that Israeli security officials feared the missiles would be smuggled into Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=395418
17 juni 2011
Report: Rocket fired from Gaza
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- A rocket was fired from Gaza into southern Israel Thursday night without causing injury or damage, Israeli press said.
According to a statement from the Israeli military, "most likely a mortar shell was fired. The Israeli Police are currently investigating the type of projectile."
A siren sounded around 9:30 p.m. Thursday in the Eshkol area, followed by an explosion, Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post reported, adding that the rocket landed in an open field.
No faction in Gaza claimed the launch.
Rocket fire has all but ceased since a reconciliation agreement was signed between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo in May.
Since April, which saw a spate of rocket fire from Gaza, and Israeli air strikes on the coastal strip which killed at least 18, factions agreed a ceasefire presaging two months of calm between the sides.
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7 juli 2011
Fatah group claims responsibility for Gaza explosion
GAZA (Ma’an) -- An armed group affiliated with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs brigade, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed responsibility on Thursday for detonating an explosive charge near Israeli armored vehicles in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
“Our fighters had detonated an explosive charge on three Israeli military bulldozers and five tanks when one of the tanks drove near an explosion that directly hit its back door,” the group said in a statement.
The group confirmed “the necessity to respond to the [Israeli] occupation crime and its continued raids,” the statement added.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=403332
Israeli soldier injured by explosion in Gaza
GAZA (Ma'an) -- An explosion in Khan Younis lightly injured an Israeli solider Thursday morning, Israeli media reported.
Five Israeli tanks and several bulldozers entered approximately 300 meters into the southern Gaza governorate, witnesses said.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that an explosive device planted near the soldiers tank had exploded causing shrapnel wounds. An exchange of fire also reportedly took place, Tel Aviv based Ynet said.
An Israeli army spokesperson said the soldier was injured by a "rocket attack at an IDF force from the Gaza Strip."
http://fwd4.me/05zG
12 juli 2011
Qassam rocket damages house
As rocket fire continues to plague Negev, leaders fear escalation in violence during summer vacation.
Two Qassam rockets were fired from Gaza late Tuesday evening, exploding in Sdot Negev Regional Council. One of the rockets lightly damaged a home, exploding just a few meters away from it, while the other landed in open spaces.
No injuries were reported in the aftermath of the fire. The rocket alert was sounded at 10:15 pm, and residents also received text messages asking them to enter fortified spaces.
Sdot Negev Regional Council head Meir Yifrach said he hopes the IDF will dole out a "harsh response" to the continuing fire on civilians.
"I guess we're seeing the results of the upcoming September declaration," he said, referring to the Palestinian Authority intention to appeal to the UN for a unilateral statehood declaration.
"The assessment is that there will be an escalation in violence ahead of September but I hope this will be proved false and this period goes by in peace, especially since the kids are on vacation."
The head of Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, Alon Schuster, said the rocket fire had increased over the past few weeks and also expressed fear of escalating violence.
"It appears the regime in Gaza is setting itself free of the restraints it took upon itself after the anti-tank missile fired at the school bus in April," he said, adding that the council had not received any special instructions to observe during summer vacation.
Meanwhile, Sderot Municipality was planning to strike over lack of funding for its security instillations, but the strike was postponed.
http://fwd4.me/06Vy 20 jan 2012, 05:31 , Respect
Maria 13 juli 2011
Israeli minister asks his government to assassinate Hamas leaders
NAZARETH, (PIC)-- Israeli minister of infrastructure Uzi Landau has urged his government to reactivate the policy of “targeted killing” and assassination of Hamas leaders.
He said in a press statement on Wednesday that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu should adopt a root change in its policy in dealing with the Gaza Strip and should adopt the policy of liquidating Hamas leaders.
Landau said that Israel should make it clear to Hamas leaders mainly that they would personally pay the price for the resumption of rocket firing at Israeli targets from the Strip.
http://fwd4.me/06Wv
14 juli 2011
South under fire; 6 Gaza rockets fired
Qassams fired from Strip explode in open areas in southern Israel throughout day; no injuries reported.
Two Qassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip Thursday evening exploded in open areas in southern Israel within minutes of each other.
Three Qassam rockets fired from Gaza Thursday afternoon also exploded in open areas in in the south, as the rate of attacks from the Strip again picked up. No injuries or damages were reported in the latest attacks. The Color Red anti-rocket alert was activated in the area several times during the day.
Palestinian terrorists also fired a rocket at southern Israel Thursday morning. The projectile landed in an open area in Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council.
No injuries or damage were reported.
The Color Red alert sounded prior to the explosion. So far, security instructions for the area's residents have remained unchanged, and their everyday routine is maintained.
Air Force jets struck Gaza targets overnight, in response to Qassam fire on southern Israel.
The strike targeted two terror tunnels in south Gaza and a third in its north. The military confirmed the targets were destroyed.
The military said that Israel holds Hamas responsible for the rocket fire on Israel.
http://fwd4.me/06dK
Rocket explodes in Hof Ashkelon Regional Council
A Qassam rocket, launched from northern Gaza, exploded in an open field in Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported. The Color Red alarm went off in the region.
Another rocket exploded earlier near a kibbutz in Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported either.
http://fwd4.me/06cg
2 Qassam rockets explode in Sha'ar HaNegev; no injuries
Two Qassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip and exploded in an open field at Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. No injuries or damage reported.
http://fwd4.me/06ch
Unknown military faction fire projectile at Sderot
GAZA (Ma’an) -- A previously unknown armed faction announced Thursday that it had fired a homemade projectile at the Israeli city of Sderot from the Gaza Strip.
The faction is called "Sarayah Palestine", it said in a statement received by Ma'an. It launched the projectile at 7.00 a.m Thursday.
The attack was in response to Israeli aggression and threats against Palestinian, the statement added.
http://fwd4.me/06aW