Gaza / Israel

[belfastuniguy 18]

The price may be high and definitely controversial, but this is our last resort at allowing our citizens to live a normal life without the fear of being hit by rockets.

signaturequote>

I agree, no other developed county on earth would tolerate such things.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[Operative 1]

 I would like to comment on the comments of GMT on my post which i posted earlier. My original post being blue, GMT's comments on it being red, and my comment on his comments being black (you follow )

Originally posted by: Operative I think all the pro israel voices here have some major flaws in there arguments for defending this new agression against the palastinian people. 
No. actually NOT at all. All the "pro israel voices here" are not to lazy to take a look at the facts, and not just the populistic informations spread across the world.

I wonder which facts your talking about. I am not too lazy, unlike you i get my sources from 2 sides, 1 being the typical western news agencies making it look like poor israeli citicens are suffering so much and being killed by the so called dozens, while Palastinian lives are simply regarded as, casualties of war. READ:

"Supporting Israel's view that "Operation Cast Lead" is one of self-defence against rockets that had killed 18 Israeli people since 2001, Bush said Israel should be mindful of "innocent folks". Emmidiatly afther that comes: 
"Figures from Palestinian medics indicate at least 909 people have been killed. The health minister in Gaza's Hamas-run government said close to 400 of those were woman and children." 
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LC621368.htm

909 may not be regarded as acurate, but it sure comes close. I ask you now, WHO is the agressor here?!? WHAT facts are you talking about........populist information he says....

The most important one being the one of 'so called self defence' from Palastinian rockets. ITS THE PALASTINIANS WHO ARE DEFENDING THEM SEFLS FROM 1947 TILL NOW.
AGAINST WHAT ARE THEY DEFENDING THEMSELVES?? (wow, I always wanted to write a whole sentence in caps) It's fact that they lived on a land that never belonged to them. It's fact that the first wars down there were started not by Israel but by it's neighboring countries. It's fact that since Hamas was voted into government, ALL approaches to create a coexistence of a palestinian and an isreaeli state failed. It's fact that Israel, from ALL the countries in the world, is the one with the MOST (if not only) efforts to peacefully solve this problem, but without any solutions because Hamas simply denies everything that does include coexistence.

Land that they never belonged? You dont understand how this world works do you? The Palastinians were the great majority in the region till 1948. They lived there peacefully with a small majority of Jews and Christians alike. Europe just got its freedom back they fought so hard for, and suddenly they decide...jee the Jews have no where to go do they. You know what well just give them there 'promised land back'...as i understand supporting an unwanted invasion of a people who are the vast majority in an area to the benefit of a very small one isnt exactly what democracies are supposed to do is it??? Hey i would even call that tactic borrowing from hitler (cant help but recite his name sinds Jews do equally often).
And as about the Palastinian (democraticly) choosing Hamas to lead there government, is because Hamas promised a stop to isreal if needed by force because those poor people at the Gaza strip got SICK and TIRED of being oppressed by, molested by and there rights stolen by israel. Dude when people dont get there rights for a long peroid of time they get disgruntled and vote for more extreme voices of intolerance and violence. Observe history you will see this occuring. In a weird way, its actually israels own fault pushing Gaza in the hands of Hamas.

israel since its very foundation had been at constant war with the rightfull inhabitants of the area.
Israel was founded a mere 3000 years ago and did not had any war until the romans came and oppressed it... so I guess, whereever you take your historical information from, you should consider a change

Tell me who cares about 3000 years ago? I might aswell go straight back to Adam and Eve. They were of no race, and the world belonged to them, which in turn leads to the world belonging all its people. But many people require more space then few people. thats how it works. I dont see land of the Jews writen over Palastine so to say. I call the Palastinians the rightfull inhabitants, because they were totally ignored in there rights in 1948, and the european Jews didnt care much either when they invaded Palastine. And to think that so called democracies orchistrated this whole operation of forceably creating an illegal nation, whome hold the vote of the majority dear....talk about being two faced.

And it seems to like to keep it that way. Both for staking up a fear and hate propaganda aswell as keeping the armed forces strong by getting military aid from some dispicable countries who decided to back this illegal land robbery in the first place.
What did you say about propaganda? this passage seems to come straight out of Hamas' propaganda-repertoire.

propaganda has been used by israel and its army since its invasion.
PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE..http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-zogby/how-israels-propaganda-ma_b_156767.html comes remarkably familiar doesnt it...??!

The fact that Hamas is denying the excitance of the so called israel is purely out of self conservation.
In fact, it's purely out of anti-semitism.

There you have it... anti-semitism...was waiting for that word. Nor Hamas nor any other Muslim faction is anti-semetic. Because the Koran regards Jews and Christians as people of the Book. Being like a chain of Gods Monotheist religions. Its illegal to hate them in Islam. The reason why Hamas is so fiercly against israel is because of its Zionist transgretions against the Palastinian people. Check this picture out, you'll see my point: http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42345000/jpg/_42345177_ahmadinejad_afp416.jpg

And the fact that they are fireing rockets of barely 40 kilo's (which makes it patheticly inferior to bombs the israeli use), is only from trying to fight back, and give a payback to the death and suffering isreal has caused untill now.
Unfortunately wrong again. Ok, the most deaths have been caused by Israel. The most suffering tho has been caused by Hamas (and I'm speaking of the palestinians right now, not the israelis). Hamas takes monetary aid to buy weapons and ammo. Hamas stores non-monetary aid for their own fighters and even trade it for weapons and ammo. Hamas does in fact everything to keep itself running, without actually helping the palestinian people.
why do you think their ammo storages are in civil structures? because they want to put an end to the suffering in Gaza? that's so LOL

How do you in your mind even notion that israeli's suffer more?!? They are fat, healthy, rich people compared to Palastinians who barely have food, water, medicine partly thanks too israel destroying the economy and isolating the gaza strip for decades now. 
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=1xUeZ8KGC6Y < watch this video..i doubt israeli children experience this every single day...unless ofcourse you consider jewish live more valuable then Palastinian (a common thought among Jews actually, they believe they are better then any people on this planet, since they believe there Gods favorite...)

And don't come whining that they have been fireing at you for 8 years...what kept you waiting to act? Waited till the so called 1000's of rockets fell on your head. BS! Bush is gone. got kicked out of office, and your corrupt and dispisable politicians want to use the last 2 weeks to get some votes. just look at the polls how good its WORKING.
and that's the point that leads me to the conclusion that you have exactly NO clue at all what you're talking about. Successfully moved some bytes tho.

I see you are getting more upset with my comments. Here read this..http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/analysis_livni_leads_in_polls_but_israels_political_map_is_unclear_20080908/
This article actually proves what im saying. The people who are shouting the most in the media that they will persue this conflict till the end are getting quite a nice rating isnt it.. PROVE ME WRONG and dont tell me who has no Clue..

Another pathetic thing to read by some zionists is that they keep saying, oh my my people suffered so much in the past. Now these Palastinians are hurting us. Its allmost a pitty me routine if it were not for the exact same thing the zionist israeli government is doing to Palastinians as Nazi's did to them. Want to know what? Like stealing land, property, goods, water, anexing more land by settlers, wrecking, torturing, beating, closing borders, life lines, blocking foreign aid, shooting NGO's...and ofcourse BOMBING, SHOOTING, MURDERING, BURNING...thus commiting slow but effective genocide and mass eviction of a honourable people who let there jewish forefathers live peacefully with them side by side.

israel is the problem. Since they rationalise these acts by being a sovereign state. well newsflash bub..your not sovereign, your a genocidal madman on the loose.

No more comments.. and please dont mind the perhaps adverse language i dont mean to insult anyone. I simply want to express more vividly the injustice thats going on in this very twisted, blind world we live in.
yes. you're so right. you're mister right... 

may I ask you whether you actually believe te BS you're writing here? 

GMT i understand that ofcourse one would automaticly defend ones own people. Its never nice to hear negative voices about there behavior from people like me. But sometimes not even Jews can BS there way out of the evil they or there counterparts on the other side of the world are doing. I just want to shed a light to the other Forum readers around here, that the Jewish voice isnt always the right one.. and there are more sides to this conflict. 

Believe in your american values like freedom, and equality, but dont be bias as to whom deserve the same..Sadly now im just praying to God that Obama will stop this masacre.

Good night, Operative

[belfastuniguy 18]

Israel 'set for ceasefire vote'

Israel's foreign minister signs an agreement with the US secretary of state

Israeli ministers are set to vote on a unilateral ceasefire proposal at the weekend, Israeli officials say, amid signs of diplomatic movement on Gaza.

The meeting, said to be scheduled for Saturday, comes amid increasing signs of progress on the diplomatic front.

Earlier Israel and the US signed a deal to halt the smuggling of arms into Gaza - a key Israeli demand.

High-level talks were held in Cairo and Washington as Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza continued for a 21st day.

The BBC's Christian Fraser, who finally got into the Gaza Strip from Egypt for the first time on Friday, says the situation for Palestinian families in Rafah is tough.

Our correspondent says that while there have been targeted Israeli strikes in the town, there is much collateral damage as well, with a housing block and a playground among the sites affected.

Israel has been bombing heavily along the border area, with the aim of destroying tunnels running beneath the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Conditions for Palestinian families seeking refuge in a UN-run school in Rafah are very difficult, our correspondent says. Food and electricity supplies are limited and there is no running water.

'Vital component'

Israeli military officials said 40 overnight air strikes on Gaza targeted smuggling tunnels, rocket launching points, weapons stores and a militants' training camp.

The bodies of 23 people were later recovered in the Tel al-Hawa district of Gaza City, medics said.

It is incumbent upon us in the international community to prevent the rearmament of Hamas so that a ceasefire will be durable and fully respected Condoleezza Rice US Secretary of State BBC reporter reaches Rafah Bowen diary: Truce hopes In pictures: Ongoing Gaza assault Voices from Gaza City

Militants also continue to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel. About 10 were launched on Friday but caused no injuries, the Israeli army said.

Asked on Israel's Channel 10 TV station if the country would act unilaterally to end the conflict, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said it was down to the security cabinet to make that decision.

Israel would have to resume its offensive if Hamas continued to fire rockets, she said.

Speaking at the signing of the deal on arms smuggling with Israel, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she hoped it would ensure Gaza could "never again be used as a launch pad" for attacks on Israel.

The supply of arms to Hamas and other groups in Gaza was a "direct cause of the current hostilities", Ms Rice said.

"It is therefore incumbent upon us in the international community to prevent the rearmament of Hamas so that a ceasefire will be durable and fully respected," she said, adding that she was also concerned to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

Ms Livni, in Washington, described the memorandum of understanding as "a vital component for the cessation of hostilities".

'Final act'

Meanwhile, talks have continued in Cairo between Israeli and Egyptian officials on reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Hamas was also invited back to Cairo on Friday for more talks, an official told the al-Jazeera network.

Ban Ki-Moon: 'The fighting must stop'

After meeting Palestinian Authority leaders in the West Bank, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to end the fighting.

"I would like to see an immediate ceasefire," he said, adding that a deal between Israel and Hamas to stop the conflict might be possible within the next few days.

Israel has said any ceasefire must be "durable and sustainable".

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said they would not accept Israeli conditions for a ceasefire.

Hamas has its own requirements for a ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces within a week and the opening of the border crossings.

Earlier, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC that Israel wanted a prompt end to the violence.

"The diplomacy now is in high gear. Hopefully we're entering the final act. We want this to be over as soon as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, a teenager reportedly died during anti-Israeli protests in the West Bank on Friday.

GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflict Q&A: Gaza conflict Who are Hamas? Middle East conflict: History in maps

He was killed as violence broke out between demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Hebron, reports said. Clashes were also reported at the Qalandya checkpoint.

The Israeli army had earlier closed all access to the West Bank for the next two days following a call by Hamas for all Palestinians to observe what it called a day of wrath after Friday prayers.

The Palestinian Authority issued a similar call to action to followers of Fatah, a rival Palestinian faction to Hamas.

In Gaza City, tens of thousands of mourners took to the streets for the funeral of a top Hamas leader, Said Siyam, who died when his brother's house was bombed on Thursday.

The senior UN official in Gaza, John Ging, meanwhile described as "total nonsense" claims by Israel that militants had fired from a UN compound shelled by Israel on Thursday.

Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza say at least 1,155 Palestinians have been killed and 5,015 wounded since Israel launched an operation on 27 December to end rocket attacks against its people.

Thirteen Israelis - three of them civilians - have died, while 233 soldiers have been wounded, the Israeli army says. quote>

[Aontan 0]

Israel to end operations in Gaza

Saturday, 17 January 2009 21:20

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has announced an unilateral ceasefire in Gaza after a Security Cabinet meeting this evening.

Mr Olmert said that Israel's offensive in Gaza had achieved all its objectives.

He told a news conference after the security cabinet voted to end operations, that some goals had been exceeded, that Hamas had been hit hard and its ability to fire rockets into Israel had been severely limited.

Israel will cease all operations in Gaza at 2am (midnight Irish time).

Hamas responded by saying that Israel's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza does not put an end to the group's 'resistance'.

Earlier, Hamas leaders in exile vowed to fight on, but many of the 1.5 million Palestinians enduring incessant bombardment seemed desperate for their ordeal to end.

Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip on 27 December and ground troops pushed in a week later.

Without an accord with Hamas, diplomats said they feared Israel would let only a trickle of goods into Gaza, hampering reconstruction and creating more hardship for its people.

'There is no agreement with Hamas,' an Israeli official said, adding that Israel would reserve the right to act if Hamas continued firing or launched rockets across the border.

A Hamas official in Beirut said earlier that they would keep fighting until Israel met their demands, mainly for an end to a crippling economic blockade.

Israeli forces attacked 50 targets in the coastal enclave overnight. Tank fire killed two boys sheltering at a United Nations school, a UN official said.

'These two little boys are as innocent, indisputably, as they are dead,' John Ging, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, said after the school was hit.

About 45,000 Gazans are sheltering in UN-run schools in Gaza.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attack on the school.

A two-year-old child was also killed as a result of Israeli shelling in the northern town of Beit Hanun.

The raid is at least the fourth time that Israel has hit a school run by UNRWA during its 22-day-old war on Hamas in Gaza.

In the deadliest such strike yet, 43 people were killed when an Israeli tank shell hit an UNRWA school in the northern town of Jabaliya on 6 January.

Israel at first alleged that Hamas militants had fired at troops from within the building, but eventually backed off the claim that was firmly denied by the UN.

Brown offers resources to prevent weapons smuggling

The British Prime Minister has offered British naval resources to help monitor and stop weapons being smuggled into Gaza.

Gordon Brown said Britain was also prepared to help make sure there was proper protection and monitoring of the crossings into Gaza.

He said he had been in talks with Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and with European leaders over the last few days.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he may attend a summit meeting on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt tomorrow.

Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0117/gaza.html

quote>

[TheQuiltedLlama 34]

Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza.

A statement read by a Hamas spokesman said the group would hold fire for a week to give Israel time to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip.

The move came hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect.

The cessation of hostilities was earlier cast into doubt by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on militants in Gaza.

Hamas' deputy chief in Syria, Moussa Abou Marzouk, said the ceasefire was in the name of all "Palestinian resistance factions".

"We... announce a ceasefire of our factions in the Gaza Strip and we stress that our demand is the withdrawal of the enemy forces from the Gaza Strip within a week, along with the opening of all the crossings for the entry of humanitarian aid, food and other necessities for our people in the Gaza Strip."

The group said the ceasefire would be temporary unless Israel met these long-standing demands.

Hamas' leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, will make an "important" announcement in Syria on Sunday afternoon regarding Israel's ceasefire, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Israel, whose ceasefire came into effect at 0200 (2400 GMT) has said its troops will stay in Gaza for as long as necessary.

Hours later, at least 18 rockets were fired into Israel, Israeli sources said, triggering an Israeli air strike in response.

One rocket hit a house in Ashdod, injuring lightly two people, police said.

The stopping of rocket-fire had been a chief aim of the military campaign.

Israeli troops killed a Palestinian near the southern Gazan town of Khan Younis on Sunday morning, reports from Gaza said. If confirmed, the death would be the first fatality since the ceasefire began.

At least 1,300 Palestinians, according to Palestinian sources, and 13 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on 27 December.

Palestinian medics say at least 50 bodies have been pulled from the rubble since Israel halted its offensive.

Meanwhile, heads of state from across Europe are in Egypt for a summit with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and UN chief Ban Ki-moon to try to shore up the ceasefire.

They will discuss how to make the ceasefire durable and respected by Hamas, how to get aid to Gaza and beginning the process of rebuilding there.

But the BBC's Laura Trevelyan, who is at the summit in Sharm El Sheikh, says with neither Israel or Hamas attending, there are questions about how much can be achieved and whether this will amount to more than a gigantic photo opportunity by those who want to help resolve the conflict .

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7836205.stm

Published: 2009/01/18 13:35:20 GMT

© BBC MMIX

quote>

From BBC News

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

I did hear a Hamas rep on BBC promise to fight "to the last child". Not to the last man, or to the last breath, but last child. Very telling. I am assuming he made this statement far from any actual danger.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[krbe 193]

Originally posted by: Barbarossa 2) Re: actual danger... well, I don't know if you can honestly say that.  Gaza is very small when it comes to Israeli military ability.  There is no safe place in Gaza, so let's not forget the realities.

Barbarossaquote>

Many of these guys are situated in neighbouring countries. Damaskus would be a relatively safe place from Israelis.

Fighting to the last child however—though it would really be an Endlösung, it doesn't solve Hamas's problem.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[duack 14]

Im entering this forum a little late . But here's my opinion. No matter what they do, Isreal is better and I think that this is because in Isreal, there's freedom and protection of human rights, the kind you would see in any other developed country. Palestine on the other hand, is run by terrorists, who are in violation of human rights and dont even care about the safety of their own people. Isreal is more interested in peace than Palestine, even if they are the invaders. Its pretty evident with the casualties. IMO, this seems like the kind of problem that can easily be solved with a couple of nuclear bombs, before hammas gets hold of some. Its not neccasarily a bad thing I mean, it worked in Japan 60 years ago.

[PhilsCafe 8]

Originally posted by: duack Im entering this forum a little late . But here's my opinion. No matter what they do, Isreal is better and I think that this is because in Isreal, there's freedom and protection of human rights, the kind you would see in any other developed country. Palestine on the other hand, is run by terrorists, who are in violation of human rights and dont even care about the safety of their own people. Isreal is more interested in peace than Palestine, even if they are the invaders. Its pretty evident with the casualties. IMO, this seems like the kind of problem that can easily be solved with a couple of nuclear bombs, before hammas gets hold of some. Its not neccasarily a bad thing I mean, it worked in Japan 60 years ago.quote>

Huh? Yeah, that would definitely solve all the problems... only that you would erase all people in Gaza and since Gaza is rather small, in the surrounding countries, including Israel. Awesome idea (sarcasm).

As for Israel protecting the human rights... well, we know by now that Israel doesn't give a damn what the U.N. is saying and thinking, and that they seem to think that human rights are relative. I agree that Israel is the most developed and democratic country in that region. But being that, it's very disappointing that they don't care more for human rights.

Sure, Hamas are extremists, but that doesn't justify that war, there are other ways to treat criminals. That vigilantism à la Bush administration is wrong. I mean it's symptomatic why the attack started only two weeks before the U.S. had a new president. They knew that Obama porbably wouldn't have approved to these actions.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[Geronimo 4]

Duack, you just make me sad. Thats very imature and inappropriate. I hope you are joking but honestly Im not so sure...

[nazaguy 0]

Originally posted by: duack Im entering this forum a little late . But here's my opinion. No matter what they do, Isreal is better and I think that this is because in Isreal, there's freedom and protection of human rights, the kind you would see in any other developed country. Palestine on the other hand, is run by terrorists, who are in violation of human rights and dont even care about the safety of their own people. Isreal is more interested in peace than Palestine, even if they are the invaders. Its pretty evident with the casualties. IMO, this seems like the kind of problem that can easily be solved with a couple of nuclear bombs, before hammas gets hold of some. Its not neccasarily a bad thing I mean, it worked in Japan 60 years ago.quote>

I Think that Hamas is about 10,000 years away from building a bomb. I mean, they control a 7 mile wide strip of land. What the hell kind of nuclear power would they be?!?

Plus, while Hamas are a bunch of stupid idiots who cause alot of harm to Palestinians with their unwinnable wars, i find the statement "no matter what they do, Israel is better"  to be slightly unsettling. If you look into any conflict, there are no good guys and bad guys. Nothing is black and white, just different shades of gray. And please don't tell me that murdering 100,00s of civilians is "not neccasarily a bad thing". I don't care if the people Arab, or Japanese, or Israeli for that matter. Murder is wrong! I hope that some day people will realise this...

[duack 14]

Well I sort of expected that people would be against my statement. Ill bet that most of the people in this forum are westerners, being an english website so I'll speak in general to the westerners here. Why do you always go against your own government? Governments of western countries are the lesser of two evils - WAY lesser. I'd go as far to argue they arent even evil, and that mainly the muslim nations, like Palestine have evil governments. If someone in the US went against their own government, well almosty everyone does and nothing happens. But if someone in Palestine were to speak against their government, then they would be persecuted for it. For goodness sakes people, stop siding with whats trying to kill you. Has anyone here even been to a middle eastern country? Becuase theyre not that great a place to be. There is basically little freedom. When I said that Isreal is the "better" country, I meant because it allows the basic freedoms. Its not like its committing any war crimes that it can easily prevent. Hamas was the one who decided to hide in a densely populated area of his country, and because the Palestineans were moronic enough to vote for him, they now have this problem. Whoops they probably shoudlnt have done that. Its a surprise that theyre even allowed to vote, seeing as how its a muslim nation. Besides, they dont even have enough food for everyone in Palestine

[belfastuniguy 18]

EU envoy lays Gaza blame on Hamas

Louis Michel is touring the Gaza Strip to assess the humanitarian needs

A senior European Union official touring war-torn Gaza has blamed the ruling militant movement Hamas for the humanitarian crisis there.

Humanitarian aid chief Louis Michel called the destruction left by Israel's offensive "abominable", but said Hamas bore "overwhelming responsibility".

He said there would be no dialogue with with the "terrorist" movement until it gave up violence and recognised Israel.

He also announced emergency aid for Gaza worth more than US $70m (£50m).

US President Barack Obama, meanwhile, dispatched his new Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, on his debut mission to the region having briefed him to engage "vigorously" to forge "genuine progress" in peace talks.

Sick of paying

Touring some of Gaza's worst-hit areas of Israel's 22-day assault which killed about 1,300 Palestinians, including 400 children, Mr Michel described the situation as "abominable, indescribable".

"At this time we have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas," he said.

CONFLICT IN FIGURES More than 1,300 Palestinians killed Thirteen Israelis killed More than 4,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza, more than 20,000 severely damaged 50,000 Gazans homeless and 400,000 without running water Special report: Gaza conflict Who are Hamas? Middle East conflict: History in maps Profile: Gaza Strip

"I intentionally say this here - Hamas is a terrorist movement and it has to be denounced as such."

Thirteen Israelis were killed in the conflict, and Mr Michel later visited the southern Israeli town of Sderot, the target of Palestinian militant rocket fire.

There, he called on Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza and accused both sides of violating humanitarian law.

"Please open the crossings, you have to broaden the range of products that you let in," he urged Israel's authorities. "We, the EU, condemn Qassam attacks and military options which target the civilian population."

The former Belgian foreign minister insisted there would be no dialogue with Hamas, saying its use of terrorism against Israeli civilians meant it was not a legitimate resistance movement.

Some aid agencies have expressed doubts about how effective a reconstruction drive in Gaza can be without the involvement of Hamas, which controls the territory, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Gaza.

Announcing the extra aid, Mr Michel said people in the EU were sick of paying for the same infrastructure being destroyed over and over again in Israeli military action.

The EU is the main donor to the Palestinians, having given three billion euros since 2000, Mr Michel said.

"Every year, we spend 600 to 700m euros. Today we decided on a supplementary payment of 60m euros."

'Reinvigorate process'

US envoy George Mitchell is to visit Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia during a week-long tour, with European stops including Paris and London, said state department spokesman Robert Wood.

Relief agencies urged an opening of crossings so more aid can reach Gaza

He said Mr Mitchell would meet "senior officials to discuss the peace process and the situation in Gaza".

It remained unclear whether Mr Mitchell would travel to the Gaza Strip.

Separately, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was heading to the Middle East to join efforts to cement a permanent cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

He said he would spend a week in the region, starting with meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Tuesday.

Israeli and Palestinian faction representatives have visited Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials since a non-negotiated ceasefire came into effect on 18 January.

Hamas wants an end of Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza.

Israel, which will hold a general elections on 10 February, wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming. quote>

[Orchid22 1]

Well I guess the ceasefire is over. From the BBC:

Israel launches attacks in Gaza

Palestinian sources say there has been fighting near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with people fleeing their homes.

The incursion follows a bomb attack which killed one Israeli soldier and wounded three near the Gaza border.

It is the worst violence since Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza ended with both sides declaring ceasefires.

An Israeli soldier was killed by an explosive device planted on its side of the border near the Kissufim crossing, prompting troops to opened fire into Gaza.

A farmer was killed, Palestinian officials said.

There is now heavy fighting going on in Khan Younis, south of the Kissufim crossing.

quote>

I can see where Israel doesn't want rockets being fired into their cities but a broader look has to be taken into consideration.

(a)What is Israel doing for the Palestinian people to vote Hamas into power?

and

(b)With children suffering and losing family and loved ones, they will grow up and continue to cycle of unrest by joining terrorist groups.

I am Lebanese and I can't say I am not angry for what has happen in Lebanon, but a new approach needs to be taken. All this back and forth fighting seems to be like nobody wants peace in the middle east.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa