June 11, 2008

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

According to UPI Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may be shelving plans to invade the Gaza strip in favor of continuing truce talks with Hamas, (1) while many voices weigh in on the issue (8) (9) (11) (12). Violence continues in and around Gaza (2) (4) (5). An article from Al-Ayyam daily, translated by ATFP, evaluates the leadership of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (7). The Israeli government votes to broaden the legal definition of counterterrorism, lessening its accountability for IDF actions in the West Bank (10).

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Israeli Tank Fire Kills Girl In Gaza, Palestinians Say

This week Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other top officials have been discussing ceasefire prospects and possible broader military action should Egypt's efforts fail.

Israeli tank fire killed a 9-year-old Palestinian girl in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian medical workers said.

They said the girl's remains had been recovered from a house in the village of Qarara, east of Khan Younis, which had been struck by the tank fire. She was inside at the time of the shelling.

Palestinian Salaries Paid After Funds Released

RAMALLAH, West Bank Reuters) - Palestinian government workers received their wages almost a week late on Tuesday after Israel transferred tax revenues it held back over Palestinian attempts to block upgraded European-Israeli ties. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Monday the aid-dependent Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank had expected to receive tax revenues that Israel collects on its behalf on June 2 and to pay salaries two days later.

Israeli Troops Kill 3 Hamas Fighters

GAZA CITY/RAMALLAH, 11 June 2008 — Israeli troops killed three Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip yesterday as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with top ministers to weigh up a possible military offensive on the besieged territory.

Israeli Settler Injured In Mortar Shelling That Started Fires – Spokesman

GAZA, June 11 (KUNA) -- An Israeli settler was injured and huge fire broke out in an agricultural filed on Wednesday when several mortar shells landed on the Israeli settlement of Nir-Oz, eastern Gaza Strip.
An Israeli Army spokesman said that two mortar shells were fired early this morning from Gaza Strip targeting the Israeli settlement and injuring one of its residents, and also causing a fire in a farm.

Israeli Army Detains 28 Palestinians In The West Bank

RAMALLAH, June 11 (KUNA) -- More than 28 Palestinians were detained during an Israeli incursion executed on early Wednesday in the West Bank.
Israeli troops stormed Nablus, Balata refugee camp, and Jenin as well as Al-Khalil (Hebron) and Tulkarem, Palestinian sources said.
Israeli radio claimed that the detainees were among the Israeli security authorities' wanted, noting that they are currently being interrogated.

Cabinet: Israel Strives For Truce, Preparing For Gaza Op

Following Wednesday's five-hour Jerusalem meeting on the situation in Gaza, which took place in the midst of another mortar barrage on the western Negev, the political-security cabinet issued a statement saying Israel would give Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian terror groups a chance but at the same time gear up for a possible wide-scale operation in the Strip.

Idf: Palestinians In Favor Of Ceasefire

"We have identified a skepticism that could cause them to act against the Egyptians or Israel." Baidatz added that recently there has been criticism launched against Hamas in Gaza, despite the fact that their reputation was still holding firm.
'Don't talk of Gaza op'

Baidatz also commented on the artillery being fired from the Strip. "Recently the use of the deadlier 120 mm mortar shells has been increased," he said. On Tuesday afternoon Palestinian gunmen fired 18 mortar shells towards Israel.

Knesset Voted To Amend ‘intifada Law’

Palestinians who sustain damages to person or property as a result of IDF activity in the West Bank may soon find it nigh impossible to file a lawsuit against the State of Israel.

The Knesset on Tuesday passed an amendment of the so-called 'Intifada law' (civil damages act) in its first reading. The government's bill proposal seeks to expand the definition of the term 'military act,' under which the state is exempt from being held accountable for damage incurred in counterterrorism operations. The immunity currently pertains only to limited situations.

One Decisive Blow

The decision, or at least recommendation, whether it would be good for Israel to go for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza is supposed to be taken Wednesday in a meeting between the prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister ahead of the cabinet meeting.

This trio was referred to as a “winning forum” six months ago exactly. Today, regrettably, not much has been left of the forum, and nothing has been left of the “winning.”

No Good Reason For Gaza Op

 The prime minister\'s skills as a military leader were tested in the Second Lebanon War and documented in the Winograd Report. The State of Israel paid dearly for the decision to go to war against Hezbollah in July 2006, a price that is still difficult to gage in terms of loss of deterrance. Hezbollah came out of that war politically and militarily strengthened, and the explanation that this was a justified war turned out to be worthless.

Israel To Seek Gaza Peace Deal

JERUSALEM: The Israeli security cabinet voted Wednesday to pursue an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire with Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, while leaving open the possibility of a military offensive should the truce talks fail.

"The security cabinet decided this morning to support Egyptian efforts to achieve calm in the south and end the daily targeting of Israeli civilians by the terrorists in Gaza," said Mark Regev, a spokesman for the prime minister.

Hard Questions, Tough Answers

Q. Last week, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas seemingly dropped his preconditions and invited Hamas to renew negotiations over a unity government. Why?

 

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