The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to offensive military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after attacks began, the BBC understands. Israel’s leaders are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said. The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas. It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met. Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued. About 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis – three civilians and 10 soldiers – have been killed during the campaign.
As usual, the Israelis are choosing their own timing to pull out, and their own terms. No one who could force them to stop this did, so why not choose their time and place? They may be out in a day or two, but we must go on, and intensify our work against the murders and war criminals. Let us not rest, use the fact that Israel is the most hated regime anywhere now, and act to end the nightmare of Zionism NOW!
The Electronic Intifada interviewed Sami Mushasha, spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) following Israel’s bombing of its quarters today.
The Electronic Intifada: Can you describe the extent of the damage suffered by UNRWA in the bombing of the headquarters today and exactly where the site is that was bombed?
Sami Mushasha: The UNRWA headquarters are in the al-Rimal district in the center of Gaza City. The location is well known to the Israeli authorities as is the fact that they enjoy UN immunity. The damage is great. Although we do not know the exact extent yet, we have lost many trucks, cars and food aid supplies. We are trying to put out the fires and hopefully, God willing, we will be able to restore things as soon as possible. Early reports say that three people were injured but we do not know if they were refugees [taking shelter there] or UNRWA personnel.
ix seriously injured Palestinian children have been flown to Belgium from the war-torn Gaza Strip for treatment in Brussels hospitals. The children were airlifted on a Belgian military plane, which brought them from El-Arish, an Egyptian town about 60km (37 miles) from Gaza. Belgian media say the children’s ages range from two and a half to 18 years. Each child is accompanied by a parent. More than 200 Belgians have offered to accommodate the parents, reports say.
The carnage continues unhindered!
Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip have passed 1,000, medical sources in Gaza say, as Egypt continues efforts to broker a ceasefire. Nearly a third of the dead are reported to be children and nearly 5,000 people have been injured. After talks in Cairo, Hamas officials said they were happy with the broad outlines of an Egyptian initiative but that details remained to be worked out.
The ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and the Israeli assault on Lebanon in July 2006 have been conducted by a strong Israeli army using disproportionate and indiscriminate force against civilian populations in clear breach of humanitarian law. The international community has a duty to prevent this use of force. Yet despite the fact that Israel has flouted more UN resolutions, and for a longer period, than any other country, western governments, including the UK government, continue to supply Israel with weapons and military components. In doing so the UK is providing direct
material support for Israel’s aggression and sending an implicit message of approval for its actions.
Israel faces the prospect of intervention by international courts amid growing calls that its actions in Gaza are a violation of world humanitarian and criminal law. The UN general assembly, which is meeting this week to discuss the issue, will consider requesting an advisory opinion from the international court of justice, the Guardian has learned. “There is a well-grounded view that both the initial attacks on Gaza and the tactics being used by Israel are serious violations of the UN charter, the Geneva conventions, international law and international humanitarian law,” said Richard Falk, the UN’s special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories and professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University.
Still being constructed, as a result of too many polical meeting having to be attended.