March 27th

Gaza witness: IDF troops told us 'Go south or you'll get shot' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 27, 2009 - 12:00am When Israel Defense Forces soldiers expelled Abir Hijeh, her five children and their neighbors from homes in a Gaza war zone, she said they warned her in broken Arabic: Go south or you might get shot. The group went the wrong way and came under fire from Israeli soldiers. Hijeh was wounded and her 2-year-old daughter was killed. Hijeh's account of a sniper firing on civilians, along with soldiers' graffiti and destruction seen by The Associated Press in homes they commandeered, lend support to allegations of IDF misconduct during the onslaught in Gaza. » Read more

Sudan strike won't make Iran give up on Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - (Analysis) March 27, 2009 - 12:00am A moment before the Olmert government leaves office, coincidently or not, American television network CBS breaks the fascinating story of the Israel Air Force attack on an Iranian weapons convoy in Sudan. » Read more

Obama: Israel-Egypt treaty inspires us to expand circle of peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews March 26, 2009 - 12:00am The 30th anniversary of the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel proves that peace is always possible, US President Barack Obama said Thursday.      "As we commemorate this historic event, we recall that peace is always possible even in the face of seemingly intractable conflicts," Obama said. » Read more

One Last Chance for Peace in the Middle East ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times by Claude Salhani - March 27, 2009 - 12:00am Here we go. This is the last chance for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East crisis before the region takes a turn for disaster. All the ingredients for peace as well as for greater conflict are in place. How it all turns out is now up to the players on the ground. At this point it's a 50-50 gamble. Examining the peace dividends, they are many. First, regarding the Palestinian issue, everyone knows the final outcome. There are no surprises; the issues have been addressed ad nauseam: » Read more

Israel army punishes Gaza soldier ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News March 27, 2009 - 12:00am An Israeli soldier was removed from the combat area after he shot a Gazan woman in the leg "by mistake" during the recent offensive, military sources say. The soldiers were firing in the air and urging a group of Palestinians who looked "suspicious" at the time, the military said. It appears to be the first officially confirmed case of disciplinary action over troops' actions in the conflict. The Israeli forces' conduct has been heavily criticised. » Read more

The ball is in Obama’s court ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by George S. Hishmeh - March 27, 2009 - 12:00am While cruising in South America last month, I happened to pick on board the ship’s minuscule edition of The New York Times and, much to my surprise, it had the news about the ordeal of Ambassador Chas W. Freeman, Jr., who felt duty bound to withdraw his nomination as chairman of the National Intelligence Council in the wake of a brutal and unjustified attack by the pro-Israel lobby. » Read more

Israel suspected in Sudan airstrikes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times March 27, 2009 - 12:00am Reporting from Khartoum, Sudan, and Jerusalem — A Sudanese official said Thursday that hundreds of people were killed early this year when foreign warplanes bombed three convoys smuggling African migrants through Sudan along with weapons that apparently were destined for the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted at his air force's possible involvement in the attacks. They came after Israel ended a 22-day assault on Gaza without fully achieving one of its aims: to choke off Hamas' weapons supply. » Read more

Being a Partner for Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times (Editorial) March 26, 2009 - 12:00am As he prepares to take office as Israel’s next prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is offering what sounds like a tantalizing commitment. He said that his government will be a “partner for peace.” “I will negotiate with the Palestinian Authority for peace,” he said. » Read more

Israeli Use of Phosphorus Against Gazans Disputed ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Howard Schneider - December 31, 1969 - 8:00pm Israel's use of white phosphorus artillery shells led to the deaths of at least 12 Palestinian civilians and destroyed millions of dollars in property during the recent three-week war in the Gaza Strip, the organization Human Rights Watch says in a report released Wednesday. Israeli military officials called the claim "baseless" and said the shells, designed to produce a smoke screen, were used in accordance with accepted rules. » Read more

Troubled Palestinian Health System Heads for Overhaul ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Felice Friedson, Rachelle Kliger - March 26, 2009 - 12:00am Two-year-old Rafiq lays his head peacefully on his mother’s shoulder, sticks a thumb in his mouth and buries his face in her black veil. Up until a short while ago Rafiq, whose family lives in Gaza, was at death’s door with a deadly kidney condition. But last September he was given a new lease of life when he was admitted to Barzilai hospital in Israel and nursed back to health. » Read more