November 19th, 2012

An Outgunned Hamas Tries to Tap Islamists’ Growing Clout
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by David Kirkpatrick - November 18, 2012 - 1:00am


CAIRO — Emboldened by the rising power of Islamists around the region, the Palestinian militant group Hamas demanded new Israeli concessions to its security and autonomy before it halts its rocket attacks on Israel, even as the conflict took an increasing toll on Sunday.


Hamas links truce to end of Gaza border blockade
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Karin Laub - November 18, 2012 - 1:00am


GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Gaza's Hamas rulers are aiming high in the conditions they place on stopping rocket fire into Israel in indirect cease-fire talks launched this weekend. Emboldened by Arab support and confident in their arsenal, the Islamists say calm can only come if Israel opens the gates of the tiny, closed-off territory.


Israeli Airstrike Kills Three Generations of a Palestinian Family
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - November 18, 2012 - 1:00am


GAZA CITY — An Israeli bomb pummeled a home deep into the ground here Sunday afternoon, killing 11 people, including nine in three generations of a single family, in the deadliest single strike since the cross-border conflict between Israel and the militant faction Hamas escalated on Wednesday.


November 18th

ATFP Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire Between Israel and Gaza
Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - November 18, 2012 - 1:00am

ATFP Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire Between Israel and Gaza  


ATFP Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire Between Israel and Gaza
Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - November 18, 2012 - 1:00am

ATFP Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire Between Israel and Gaza


ATFP Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire Between Israel and Gaza
Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - November 18, 2012 - 1:00am

  ATFP Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire Between Israel and Gaza


November 16th

The battle between Israel and Gaza solves nothing
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The Guardian - November 16, 2012 - 1:00am




Morsi's Gaza Challenge
In Print by Hussein Ibish - The Daily Beast (Opinion) - November 16, 2012 - 1:00am

Reports that open areas near Tel Aviv or waters off its coast were struck by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have transformed the politics and psychology of the conflict, making a major Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip much more likely.


NEWS: Egypt's Prime Minister visits Gaza in his official capacity, further eroding Hamas' diplomatic isolation. Exchanges of fire between Israel and militants in Gaza continue in spite of the Egyptian visit. Hamas is testing its strength in the new Middle Eastern strategic environment. Pres. Morsy finds himself trapped between popular and ideological sympathy for Hamas and Egypt's foreign policy. Pres. Obama urges Morsy to help promote calm, and Morsy urges Obama to restrain Israel. Signs are increasing of a possible Israeli ground attack in Gaza. The conflict is also being played out in social media. Rockets fired from Gaza land near Tel Aviv, with both Hamas and Islamic Jihad claiming responsibility. The UN says one of its teachers in Gaza is among the civilians killed during Israeli attacks. Gaza residents are repeating defensive measures they learned in 2008 in order to survive. It's not clear how far Israel wants to take the conflict. Palestinian protesters are increasingly turning to closing roads as a form of nonviolent protest. Palestinian refugees in the Sidon area are trying to stay out of Lebanese sectarian tensions. Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood organizes demonstrations protesting Israel's actions in Gaza. COMMENTARY: Hussein Ibish says militant groups in Gaza, particularly Hamas, may be seeking to force Morsy's hand. Zvi Bar'el says Morsy's challenge is to arrange an Israel-Hamas truce that sticks. Dan Williams says Israel is not keen to invade Gaza. AP says the current Israeli offensive is similar to that in 2008, but with more limited aims. The LA Times says it's urgent that Israel and the Palestinians resume negotiations instead of exchanging attacks. Amira Hass says the conflict will probably end up strengthening Hamas politically among Palestinians.Jonathan Freedland says the conflict will resolve nothing. The National says Hamas hasn't learned from previous conflicts and is wrecking chances of Palestinian national reconciliation. Rania Elhilou says Gaza is not going to become unlivable, it is unlivable already.Chelo Rosenberg says Israel must disengage from Gaza altogether. Daniel Kurtzer says the conflict shows why it is vital for the United States to resuscitate the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Daniel Byman says both Israel and Hamas have to be very careful in how they proceed, because both have much to lose in the current conflict.

Israel's Gamble in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Affairs
by Daniel Byman - (Opinion) November 15, 2012 - 1:00am


Israel's latest campaign in Gaza, which began on Wednesday with the killing of Hamas' military commander, Ahmed Jabari, and air strikes on the group's long-range rocket launchers, is a gamble -- and one that Israel might lose. Its goal is to compel Hamas to stop shooting rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip and to crack down on other groups who are also doing so. Hamas, however, will find it hard to bend to Israeli pressure. In turn, it will be up to outside states, particularly Egypt, to foster a deal to end the fighting.



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