Middle East News: World Press Roundup

In a special report for the New York Times Nicki Bennett assesses the environmental and health problems being caused in Gaza by the dumping of sewage into coastal waters (1). The Israeli Ambassador to London announces that peace talks will continue even if Ehud Olmert is forced to abandon his position as Prime Minister (3). The Israeli army closes the Gaza fuel crossing in response to rocket fire by Palestinian militants (4). Fuel rationing in Gaza forces black market prices to skyrocket (8). Hamas and Israel continue to pursue a cease-fire agreement brokered by Egypt (11).

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Israeli Shift To Private Security Draws Fire ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Financial Times by Tobias Buck - June 4, 2008 - 5:31pm A scuffle has broken out among the Palestinian workers waiting to pass the sprawling Israeli checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The men, who have waited patiently outside the terminal for much of the night, are tired, and afraid of arriving late at work on nearby Israeli building sites. Now, one of them is trying to push ahead of the queue, sparking an angry response from the men behind. » Read more

Israel-palestine Talks Will Go On With Or Without Ehud Olmert - London Ambassador ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times by Richard Beeston - June 4, 2008 - 5:33pm Israel is prepared to press ahead with Middle East peace negotiations with or without Ehud Olmert as Prime Minister, the country’s Ambassador to London said yesterday. Speaking as the embattled Israeli leader began a three-day visit to America, Ron Prosor said that other potential leaders in the ruling Kadima party would pursue talks with the Palestinians should Mr Olmert be forced from office. » Read more

Israel Closes Gaza Fuel Crossing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press June 4, 2008 - 5:34pm The Israeli army says it has closed the Gaza fuel crossing after an errant rocket fired by militants wounded a Palestinian worker at the terminal. Israel's army says the attack on the Gaza side of the crossing prompted it to cease transferring industrial fuel, cooking gas and diesel to the territory of 1.4 million Palestinians. Israeli spokesman David Baker says Wednesday's attack showed militant groups' "total disregard for the well-being of the Palestinian people." Palestinian militants frequently fire mortars toward the Israeli-controlled crossings. » Read more

Palestinians Negotiator: Peace Talks Need Miracle ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press June 4, 2008 - 5:35pm The lead Palestinian peace negotiator says only a miracle will bring a peace deal with Israel by the year-end target. Ahmed Qureia says the two sides have been discussing all the issues at the heart of their 60-year conflict. But he says gaps still exist. Speaking in the West Bank on Wednesday, Qureia said he thinks progress can be made this year. But he says he doesn't think a deal can be reached this year "unless there is a miracle." » Read more

Report: Hamas Using Bigger Rockets ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI) June 4, 2008 - 5:35pm A report published Wednesday says Hamas has upped the ante in its rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza by procuring more powerful Iranian-made weapons. Citing unnamed military sources, the Israeli Web site DEBKAfile.com reported that Hamas used the new weapon, a multiple-launch rocket with an eight-kilogram explosive payload, for the first time Tuesday in an attack aimed at Shaar Henegev in Israel. The Web site said it's the same vehicle-launched weapon used against Israel by Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. » Read more

Olmert's Survival Instinct Rapidly Fading ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times by Joe Macaron - June 4, 2008 - 5:37pm It must be ecstatic for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to be in Washington for three days, a brief escape from a quasi political inferno. Not only haunted by scandals and calls to step down, but by a Palestinian process devoid of substance, an inherently strained Syrian track and a puzzled observation of developments in Lebanon. The man came to power with two enduring complexes: the lack of military heroism and subsequently the guilt to compromise. » Read more

Black Market Soars As Hamas Rations Fuel In Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Khaleej Times June 4, 2008 - 5:38pm For the past five days Abdullah Naqbil has been waiting outside the car he parked at a service station fuel pump, planning to be the first person served when the next shipment of diesel arrives. ‘Sometimes I even sleep in the car,’ he says as he sits on the sidewalk. Barely 20 of Gaza's 160 petrol stations are open, and then only when they receive fuel from Israel, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip in response to Palestinian rocket attacks. » Read more

Palestinians Protest Nearly Year-long Siege On Gaza Strip ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) June 4, 2008 - 5:40pm Around 100 Palestinians gathered outside the UN refugee agency's headquarters in Gaza City Tuesday to protest a nearly one-year-old Israeli blockade of the Hamas-ruled territory. The protesters, including a number of women and children, held signs saying "No more blood" and "Lift the siege from us" as they called on Israel and Egypt to reopen border crossings into Gaza. » Read more

Rice Pushes Peace As Olmert Visits Washington ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters June 4, 2008 - 5:41pm US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made clear on Tuesday Washington will press for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal this year despite the corruption scandal dogging Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert, who arrived in Washington on Tuesday at the start of a three-day visit, has rebuffed calls that he leave office over allegations that he took envelopes stuffed with cash from a Jewish-American businessman. » Read more

Hamas: We'll Accept Truce For Removing Siege ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - June 4, 2008 - 5:42pm srael's position regarding the Egyptian initiative for achieving a truce with the Palestinians is totally unclear, but that does not mean that Hamas does not want a cease-fire, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday. He said that despite the difficulties in reaching an agreement, the Egyptians were making efforts to achieve a truce between the Palestinians and Israel. "Hamas's position toward the Egyptian initiative is very clear," said Haniyeh. » Read more

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