June 18th, 2008

As Israeli Siege Strangles Gaza Strip, Hamas, Smugglers Profit Off Tunnels
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Griff Witte - June 18, 2008 - 4:07pm

RAFAH, Gaza Strip -- Deep beneath the sands of this battle-scarred border town, Abu Mosab is making a fortune. The money comes in the form of blue jeans, candy bars, cigarettes, shoes, refrigerator parts, gasoline and generic Viagra. All of it and more passes through Abu Mosab's subterranean tunnel as it makes its way from Egypt to Gaza. And all of it is highly profitable because of a strict Israeli blockade that, officially at least, has kept out all but the most basic supplies. For smugglers such as Abu Mosab, the siege has been their salvation.

»

Israel Agrees To Truce With Hamas On Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - June 18, 2008 - 4:05pm

JERUSALEM — The prime minister and defense minister of Israel have agreed to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire with Hamas for the Gaza area starting Thursday, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday morning. Egyptian and Hamas officials had already announced on Tuesday that a deal had been reached. An unidentified senior Egyptian official told the state news agency MENA, "The Palestinian and Israeli sides have accepted the first stage of a reciprocal and simultaneous period of calm, starting in the Gaza Strip, from 0600 on Thursday."

»

Op-ed: Miscalculation, How Hamas Wastes Palestinian Lives
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Times
by Ziad Asali - (Opinion) June 18, 2008 - 4:04pm

Since Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza last June, a pattern of tit-for-tat provocation has defined the organization's relationship with Israel. One side launches an attack, the other side responds with disproportionate or indiscriminate force. The period of escalation then tapers off until the next flare-up, which generally involves increased intensity, more civilian casualties and higher-grade weaponry. This spiraling escalation has created a self-reinforcing logic, leading inexorably to a major Israeli operation in Gaza.

»

June 17th

An Op-Ed by Dr. Ziad Asali warns of the grave dangers of a possible Israeli military action in Gaza (1). A truce is reached between Hamas and Israel (2) (7) (9) (10). Two articles look at the effects and future of the Gaza blockade (3) (5). The Israeli Knesset considers holding early elections (6). The IDF announces plans to remove some roadblocks in the West Bank region of Kalkilya in exchange for what it calls “a cessation of local terror activity” (11). An ATFP translation of an article in Al-Ayyam Daily looks at the situation in Palestine one year after the Hamas takeover of Gaza (12).

Senior Idf Officer Warns Lull Will Be Temporary, Fragile
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Atilla Somfalvi - June 17, 2008 - 5:29pm

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi spoke before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tuesday and said that while the IDF is giving the ceasefire between Israel and the militant groups in Gaza a chance, it will continue preparing for an operation in the Gaza Strip.

»

Take Advantage Of Ceasefire: If We Don’t Use Lull In Order To Advance Peace Talks, We’ll Play Into Hamas’ Hands
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Yossi Beilin - June 17, 2008 - 5:27pm

The decision has apparently been taken. After we already tried all other solutions, perhaps we have come to realize that the best way to stop the attacks on the western Negev is to reach a ceasefire. This is no great bargain, and certainly no substitute for peace. The fact that we are forced to reach either a direct or indirect agreement with Hamas is unpleasant.

»

37 Palestinians Arrested Near Umm Al-fahm
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Sharon Roffe-ofir - June 17, 2008 - 5:24pm

Thirty-seven illegal Palestinian aliens were arrested near Umm al-Fahm in an operation conducted by the northern Border Police near Umm al-Fahm and Baka Al Garbia. Five of the detainees have limited access to Israel and another one is wanted by the Shin Bet. The six were turned into questioning and the rest of the detainees were sent back to PA territories.


Palestinians Killed In Gaza Raids
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al Jazeera English
June 17, 2008 - 5:23pm

Six Palestinians have been killed in three Israeli air strikes targeting the Gaza Strip, according to medics and witnesses.   Five people were killed and several others were wounded on Tuesday in one air raid near Qarara village east of the southern town of Khan Yunis, Muawiya Hassanein, the head of Gaza emergency services, said. 

»

A New Kid On The Peacemaking Block
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times
by Claude Salhani - (Editorial) June 17, 2008 - 5:20pm

There is a relatively new group on the Middle East peacemaking block who go by the name of The Israeli Palestinian Confederation. The Los Angeles-based IPC has been kicking around the idea for the last three years of a confederation between Israelis and Palestinians as a means to resolve the 60-year-old dispute that has been at the center of the Middle East's turmoil.

»

Gaza Truce To Begin Thursday: Palestinian Official
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Nidal Al-mughrabi, Jeffrey Heller, Ori Lewis - June 17, 2008 - 5:15pm

GAZA (Reuters) - A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip will begin on Thursday, Egypt said after mediating a deal that could ease a crippling Israeli blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory. "Both sides have pledged to halt all hostilities and all military activities against each other," Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said in Cairo on Tuesday, after weeks of separate talks with Israel and Hamas.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017