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| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 453955
6/20/2008 12:44 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Olmert: A miracle will save my job.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed confidence Thursday that a miracle will save his premiership.
[link to www.jpost.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 453955
6/20/2008 2:06 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
A series of new developments raises doubts about whether the US can still be the ultimate intersection in the Middle East through which all roads must cross. The just-hammered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel to halt violence across the Gaza Strip lacked American inputs and bypassed Washington's stated goal of marginalizing the democratically elected Islamic militant movement.
The reason why Egypt could mediate the ceasefire without apparent American backing is because both parties to the conflict had confidence in the contextual neutrality of Cairo. If Egypt had taken the advice of its American friends and brought in American wishes through backdoor channels, Hamas and possibly even Israel would have walked out of the dialogue process. The hostile and punitive policies of the George W Bush administration towards Hamas ruled out any chance of Washington itself being a mediator or facilitator of the negotiations.
A similar logic underlies the "indirect peace talks" being held in Turkey between two long-time antagonists, Israel and Syria, the first in eight years. Turkish mediation is palatable to Syria and Israel due to Ankara's general non-involvement and neutrality in Arab-Israeli disputes. As the only non-Arab Muslim country in the region besides Iran, Turkey is viewed favorably in Tel Aviv. Ankara is also acceptable as a third party for Syria as a means of breaking free from the American stranglehold that denies Damascus the chance to normalize relations with so-called "moderate states" of the region.
Turkey's mediation of the ongoing Israel-Syria entente went against Washington's desire of isolating Damascus owing to its closeness to Tehran. Absence of the writ of American blessings thus did not deter either Egypt nor Turkey from enacting constructive roles. These actions bring to the fore the question of how unbalanced the US's patron-client relationships in the region have grown. If Egypt and Turkey, two staunch "friendly regimes" cultivated by the US, are setting out on their own in ways that displease their patron, it conveys distinct loss of American leverage.
[link to www.atimes.com] |
| Divinity
User ID: 449405
6/20/2008 6:41 PM
 | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Peace bump! |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:27 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Leaked Israeli drill seen as U.S. pressure on Iran.
A U.S. leak of an Israeli air exercise reported to be practice for possible bombing of Iran's nuclear sites was seen in Israel on Sunday as a deliberate move to increase pressure on Tehran to halt sensitive atomic work.
"When the diplomacy of economic and political pressure fails to produce results, a shift is made to gunboat diplomacy," wrote Alex Fishman, military affairs correspondent of Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth.
"As the Iranian regime discusses the European Union representative's most recent offer to halt its nuclear programme in exchange for extensive benefits, the Americans opted to add a bit more pressure in the shape of Israel's air force," he said.
[link to africa.reuters.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:27 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Leaked Israeli drill seen as U.S. pressure on Iran.
A U.S. leak of an Israeli air exercise reported to be practice for possible bombing of Iran's nuclear sites was seen in Israel on Sunday as a deliberate move to increase pressure on Tehran to halt sensitive atomic work.
"When the diplomacy of economic and political pressure fails to produce results, a shift is made to gunboat diplomacy," wrote Alex Fishman, military affairs correspondent of Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth.
"As the Iranian regime discusses the European Union representative's most recent offer to halt its nuclear programme in exchange for extensive benefits, the Americans opted to add a bit more pressure in the shape of Israel's air force," he said.
[link to africa.reuters.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:29 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Iran rejects nuclear suspension for talks.
TEHRAN - Government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham said on Saturday Iran will not freeze its uranium enrichment program as a precondition for talks with major world powers.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana last week put forward a repackaged offer of economic and trade incentives on behalf of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, in exchange for a halt in Iran’s uranium enrichment.
The sextets’ package follows an original offer in 2006 on ending the West’s prolonged standoff with the Islamic Republic.
Elham added Tehran is awaiting the world powers’ response to its own package of proposals, suggesting solutions to international problems and explaining its approach to various global issues.
“The nuclear issue has been resolved under the modality plan. The International Atomic Energy Agency also reported for a couple of times that Iran has developed full cooperation and there has been no diversion to weapons production,” Elham told reporters during a news conference.
“Suspension of enrichment is not a logical issue that would be acceptable, and in any case the continuation of negotiations will not be based on suspension,” he asserted.
As a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Islamic Republic has the right to uranium enrichment for civilian uses.
“Iran’s ambassador to the agency has said Iran voluntarily suspended enrichment in the past and its nuclear facilities are being inspected constantly, thus Iran’s nuclear activities are completely transparent… and we are having normal relations with the agency under the Safeguards Agreement,” the spokesman stated.
[link to www.tehrantimes.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:30 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
More goods entering Gaza under Israel-Hamas truce.
Israel allowed dozens of trucks to deliver food, diapers and clothes to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, boosting the flow of basic goods as part of a four-day-old truce with Hamas militants.
Further increases are expected if the quiet continues, offering the prospect of relief for Gazans after a year of Israeli sanctions against the Hamas regime.
The six-month deal is meant to end attacks that have killed more than 400 Palestinians and seven Israelis since the Islamic Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip a year ago, and pave the way toward wider-reaching agreements.
[link to ap.google.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:32 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Syria to cooperate with nuclear team on its own terms.
UN atomic inspectors begin a three-day visit to Syria on Sunday to probe allegations that a mysterious site bombed by Israel last year was a nuclear facility.
[link to www.hurriyet.com.tr] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:35 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Olmert to ask Sarkozy to aid Lebanon talks
With French president landing in Tel Aviv on Sunday, prime minister to request Paris exert its influence in Beirut to help advance direct negotiations between Israel, Lebanon.
[link to www.ynetnews.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:41 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
India tiptoes to the new Middle East.
To sum up, a new Middle East is struggling to be born, which is, paradoxically, a legacy of the Bush era, except that it happens to be far different from what the US president had in mind. Israel, of course, isn't alone in coming to terms with the "changed constellation" in the Middle East. Countries like India also are called on to quickly readjust.
India revives ties with Syria
India has reached out to its long-lost friend in the Arab world, Syria. Assad is on a five-day visit to India. Indian briefings said Assad's visit "further consolidated the excellent relations" between the two countries but steered a cautious line that does not offend the US or Israel.
[link to www.atimes.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 455563
6/22/2008 4:48 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Chinese vice president meets Saudi king, crown prince.
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said in Jeddah Saturday China places great importance on its relations with Saudi Arabia and regards the country as a close friend and partner.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with King Abdullah bin Abdul-Azizi Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia Saturday afternoon.
Xi conveyed the greetings and good wishes from Chinese President Hu Jintao to King Abdullah.
Xi said since the heads of state of the two countries exchanged visits in 2006, China and Saudi Arabia have witnessed smooth development of bilateral links in an all-round way.
China attaches great significance to the ties with Saudi Arabia and sees Saudi Arabia as a close friend and partner, Xi said, adding China is willing to join efforts with Saudi Arabia to substantially implement the consensuses reached by the heads of state so as to continuously reinforce and expand the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
At the same time, the Chinese vice president said, the two countries should jointly work for maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world at large and promoting development and progress of the human kind.
King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia and China are true friends, noting that relations between the two countries enjoy a solid base.
Saudi Arabia appreciates China's friendly policy and its impartial stance on international affairs, the king said, adding that Saudi Arabia treasures the traditional friendship with China and is ready to maintain high-level contact with China and strengthen exchange and cooperation in all fields.
Xi thanked King Abdullah for his support and assistance to China after a severe earthquake in Wenchuan of southwest China's Sichuan province, stressing that this move fully reflects the deep friendly feelings the Saudi king and people cherish toward the Chinese people.
China will use the fund donated by Saudi Arabia to build schools and hospitals in the earthquake-hit areas to mark the friendship between China and Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah expressed condolence again to China on the losses caused by the devastating earthquake, saying that Saudi Arabia is ready to offer more support and assistance to China.
Xi briefed the king on the propositions of the Chinese government on building a harmonious society and promoting a harmonious world with lasting peace and universal prosperity.
Xi also informed King Abdullah of the progress in the preparation for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, voicing the belief that China is able to host a high-standard Olympic Games with unique characteristics, with the support and help of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the international community.
King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia holds that different civilizations should show respect and boost dialogue with each other so as to coexist harmoniously. He expressed his belief that Beijing Olympic Games will be a success and an opportunity for people from all over the world to promote their friendship.
The Chinese vice president also held talks with Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud Saturday afternoon.
During the talks, Xi said in recent years China and Saudi Arabia have witnessed rapid growth of cooperation in all fields, noting that Saudi Arabia has remained the top trade partner of China in West Asia and Africa for the past seven years.
Xi said China places great importance on the friendly and cooperative relations with Saudi Arabia and is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to substantially push forward practical cooperation in all fields.
Xi put forward a number of suggestions on advancing Sino-Saudi relations. Firstly, he said the two countries should maintain high-level contact and communication, enhance consultation and coordination at all levels, expand common ground, improve mutual trust and strengthen mutual support and cooperation on regional and international affairs.
Secondly, the two countries should expand cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and energy by fully tapping into the complementarity of the two economies, advance the building of a sound and efficient system of investment and cooperation, strengthen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction, engineering project contracts, labor export and occupational training, he added.
Thirdly, Xi said the two countries should enhance cultural exchanges and step up dialogues between different civilizations so as to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Crown Prince Sultan said the Saudi people cherish deep friendly feelings toward the Chinese people and regard China as an important cooperative partner, adding that Saudi Arabia wishes to increase exchanges with China, and strengthen communication and coordination with China on bilateral relations and regional and international affairs.
The two nations should give a full play to the role of the mixed committee of trade and economy in a bid to accelerate cooperation in economy, trade, energy, science and technology and culture, support their companies to develop cooperation and lift bilateral links to a higher level, said the crown prince.
After the talks, Xi and Crown Prince Sultan signed a China-Saudi Arabia joint statement on strengthening cooperative and strategic friendly relations, which is aimed to further enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, trade, fiscal policy, culture and regional and international affairs.
They also witnessed the signing of an agreement between the two governments on strengthening cooperation in the field of infrastructure construction.
The Chinese vice president arrived in Jeddah Saturday morning for an official visit to Saudi Arabia. During his visit, Xi will also attend the opening ceremony of China-Saudi Arabia Economic and Trade Seminar and the opening ceremony of the International Energy Conference in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia is the third leg of Xi's ongoing five-nation tour. He has completed official visits to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Mongolia, and will next head to Qatar and Yemen.
[link to english.people.com.cn] |
| 007 anonymous coward
User ID: 347120
6/22/2008 5:35 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
I think Israel is making all the deals necessary in the moment for the hamas the syrians the hisbolla to NOT attack in case of crisis with iran. Once they are all in the boat and once the crisis is breaking out they need to choose between their own interests and those of iran.
The iran crisis is not going to be a blitzkrieg as suggested thousand of times everywhere on the net. It will start with a war of words and it will escalate very slowly over a period of time. During this period the syrians hisb and other have to make up their mind. They will talk one way (we will defend iran) but there are going to be signs how and when they are going to think the other way. It will be a chess game. I don't know if the people in power in Israel are capable to play this - I hope they are.
The war of words is going to rattle the whole world -
all arguments are going to be heard everywhere in this world and the west will stand behind Israel. Ahmasomething will stand firm. The oilprice is going through the universe and it will hurt. Saudi Arabia and others will try to negociate taking sides with the US trying to make deals with Iran.
The US will not be able to take the lead because of the elections - but Bush declares that he supports Israel; thus turning him into a wild card - nobody will know if he is in control, if he will support or if he will attack Iran right away.
Europe will play his little game, Germany standing firm behind Israel, France trying to influence the game and britain standing behind the US.
Meantime the things are going to escalate - the war of words will start wargames, mock attacks, Israel will go on total war footing and that will impress the arab world.
Some regimes are going to choose to be neutral - hoping that the storm is not going to come to them. Some others are going to have their coming out.
I think the syrians are not going to blow up the northern front. They waited a long time and had secret negociations with all the israelis government for a return of the golan. The syrians are patient and they will decide what to do within their own national soup.
The hisb cannnot attack like this, they have other powers in their own country who are waiting for the oppurtunity to take them out. But still they are a wild card they are capable of everything.
The hamas have nothing ot loose they will take the side of iran and they stand ready to attack with their little rockets and some bomb trucks.
If Iran doesn't back down, then what? I think there is not going to be a blitzkrieg - a one strike and win war. There are going to be missiles taking out the reactors, there will be a takeover of Gaza there will be a war, which will take some time. The russians and the chinese will not get involved. The outcome of all that - honestly i don't know. All I know is that the iraniens under the mullah regime will not have access to nuclear technology even if the price to pay is high. Even if the price is very high.
I don't provide links because this above is my personal thought and I'd like to take the opportunity to say to Gaja that I like her / him - and please - this is not sexual anything. This is just in my heart. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 453926
6/24/2008 10:13 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Military man with the rockets that hit Sderot today and the Iran rumors heating up can you give any upadted info on what is going on????????? Mossad agent's wife can you???????? |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 415225
6/24/2008 10:31 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Military man with the rockets that hit Sderot today and the Iran rumors heating up can you give any upadted info on what is going on????????? Mossad agent's wife can you???????? Quoting: Anonymous Coward 453926
add to that, the shooting at the Tel-Aviv airport as the french president was leaving??
military man, mossad agent's wife - anything?? |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 262098
6/24/2008 8:19 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
 |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 376724
6/25/2008 2:37 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Jihad: rocket attack "exceptional case"
Sources from Islamic Jihad movement on Wednesday said a rocket attack on southern Israel was exceptional case in response to an Israeli action in West Bank.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday, violated a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Gaza Strip. After the attack, Israel decided not to go ahead with opening commercial crossing points into Gaza.
"The shelling of Sderot is an exceptional message in response to the Israeli occupation crimes in West Bank," a leading member of the faction said on condition of anonymity.
The attack "was necessary to respond to the Israeli delay in applying the calmness obligations," the source added.
On Tuesday, Israel killed an Islamic Jihad commander and a student in West Bank city of Nablus. The West Bank, controlled by forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas, is excluded from the ceasefire deal which Egypt brokered for the Gaza Strip.
"Despite our reservations, we will abide by the lull as long as the enemy did," the source said. "It is unacceptable to get Gaza out of the circle of violence while releasing the enemy's hands freely in the West Bank."
The six-month ceasefire was set to ease the siege which Israel imposed on Gaza Strip when Hamas took over the territory by force in June last year.
[link to english.people.com.cn] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/25/2008 9:32 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Gaza crossings may reopen on Friday.
Defense officials said Wednesday night they planned to open the crossings between Gaza and Israel on Friday if there were no more violations of the cease-fire.
IDF closes Gaza crossings after Kassam rockets fall
At a late-night security assessment in the Defense Ministry on Wednesday, it was decided decided that Israel will keep the Gaza border crossings closed on Thursday, except for special humanitarian cases, in response to Tuesday's Kassam rocket attacks.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a prisoner exchange aimed at securing the release of St.-Sgt. Gilad Schalit from Gaza will resume on Thursday, an aide to Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.
"Ofer Dekel [the government's point man on the issue] will head out to Egypt on Thursday, and he will continue the process," the aide said.
[link to www.jpost.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/25/2008 9:34 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Syria opens site to UN atom probe.
Syria gave U.N. investigators a good look at the site of what Washington says was a secret nuclear reactor before Israel destroyed it, but initial checks were inconclusive and more are needed, they said on Wednesday.
Chief U.N. inspector Olli Heinonen said his team was able to take extensive environmental samples at the remote desert location and the sensitive inquiry was off to "a good start", with Syria's cooperation generally satisfactory at this stage.
Heinonen, speaking to reporters on his return to Vienna after four days in Syria, said it was "too early" to draw conclusions about the nature of the site, bombed by Israel last September, and follow-up investigations could take some time.
[link to www.canada.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/25/2008 9:38 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
US considers diplomatic presence in Tehran.
America is considering reopening a diplomatic centre in Tehran, 30 years after it was ejected from its embassy following the Islamic revolution.
The "special interest office" would be the first official US representation in Iran since its embassy was overrun and diplomats held for 444 days in 1979. The old US embassy is now a shrine to Iran's anti-American foreign policy.
The office would operate on the model of the US bureau in Communist Havana, processing visas and conducting cultural liaison activities but would not maintain official contacts with the host government.
[link to www.telegraph.co.uk] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/26/2008 11:13 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal.
Israel and Hezbollah have prepared a written agreement on a prisoner exchange that the cabinet will deliberate on Sunday and possible approve. If approved, Israel will sign the deal that will then be taken to Beirut by the German mediators for Hezbollah's signature.
[link to www.haaretz.com] |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 458617
6/26/2008 11:15 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
NO WAR, RETARDS
 |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/26/2008 11:17 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Israeli threats stiffen Iran's resolve
Although it is manifestly clear that Israel runs major risks for minor gains by planning to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, the tendency of Israeli politicians and pundits to underestimate the risks and the likelihood of success is growing by leaps and bounds.
Following the argument that Israel does not want to wait for a new administration in the United States, to paraphrase one of Israel's voices in the US, CBS consultant Michael Oren, Israel's increasingly bellicose attitude against Iran actually has the adverse effect: it sets barricades in the path of Iranian politicians who want to reach a compromise with the "Iran Six" over Tehran's nuclear program. Tehran is considering a package of proposals presented by the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany over its uranium-enrichment activities.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, received a positive initial response from Iran's politicians during a recent visit, emphasizing Tehran's preparedness to engage in serious negotiations.
But by escalating threats against Iran precisely at a time the EU is pushing the arch of diplomacy toward Iran, Israel has made it nearly impossible for Tehran to show a great deal of flexibility, since that would be widely interpreted as letting Israel bully Tehran. In terms of regional calculus and Iran's national prestige, this would compromise Iran's position in the Middle East and undermines its national security.
[link to www.atimes.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/26/2008 11:20 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Islamic Jihad accuses Israel of violating ceasefire 15 times
Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement based in the Gaza Strip on Thursday said Israel has committed 15 violations of an Egyptian-brokered Gaza ceasefire since it went into force a week ago.
The violations included the hovering of Israeli reconnaissance drones and F-16 fighters in Gaza skies, shooting at fishermen in the sea and opening fire on Palestinian farmers who approached their lands near the border security fence, said the movement.
It said the information about the violations was collected by its militants who monitor the borders. The movement itself was accused of breaching the ceasefire when it fired rocket into Israel on Tuesday.
The rocket attack was in retaliation for an Israeli army operation in the West Bank which stays out of the ceasefire deal.
As a result of the attack, Israel stopped the gradual lifting of the embargo imposed on Gaza since Hamas took over the territory in June 2007, but Hamas said it is still committed to the deal.
[link to english.people.com.cn] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/26/2008 2:16 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
West Bank to Wreck Gaza Truce: Analysts.
Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank are meant to wreck a fragile truce with Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza and drive a wedge between Hamas and other Palestinian groups, analysts have agreed.
"Israel is trying to undermine the truce by provoking resistance factions in Gaza to respond to its attacks in the West Bank," Palestinian analyst Hani Al-Bassos told IslamOnline.net.
Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, including an Islamic Jihad member, in the West Bank town of Nablus on Tuesday, June 24.
In retaliation, Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel.
An Egyptian-brokered truce, which came into effect on June 19, calls for a halt of the rocket fire from Gaza in return for stopping Israeli attacks and easing its economic blockade on the strip.
The truce does not cover the West Bank.
"Israel's success in separating between the West Bank and Gaza in the truce deal will always be threatening to undermine the fragile Gaza truce," said Bassos.
Political analyst Hani Al-Masri agreed.
"The truce deal is originally doomed to failure," he said.
"The West Bank has been a major flaw in the truce agreement."
Testing Hamas
Analysts say Israeli attacks in the West Bank are also meant to drive a wedge between resistance factions by pushing Hamas to control other groups.
"Israel is provoking resistance factions in the West Bank to test Hamas," Ayman Youssef, professor of political science at the American University in the West Bank, told IOL.
He said Israel wants to test Hamas' ability to control the resistance factions, particularly Islamic Jihad.
"Israel hopes that Hamas would be pushed into forcing Islamic Jihad's armed wing Saraya Al-Quds Brigades to halt attacks from Gaza.
"Hamas should be prepared to this test," he said.
Masri agreed.
"It does not make sense to have a truce in Gaza while Israel is pursuing attacks in the West Bank," he said.
"This will cause to deepen Palestinian divisions and gives Israel the chance to complete its schemes in the West Bank."
Israel has been stepping up settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, infuriating Palestinians and drawing international criticism.
"Israel has its malicious schemes in the West Bank. It will continue its operations against the Palestinians in the West Bank with the aim of liquidating the Palestinian cause and provoking the resistance factions in Gaza," said Masri.
The analysts urged resistance factions to agree a concerted action against Israeli violations.
"Palestinian factions should not be dragged into response to Israeli provocations," said Bassos.
"(The factions) should reach a national consensus on how to respond to any Israeli provocation or assault."
The Palestinian factions have agreed to form a five-member committee to record Israeli violations and consider a possible response.
"Factions should also activate their resistance in the West Bank to force Israel to accept the truce," added Masri.
[link to www.islamonline.net] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 458252
6/26/2008 2:19 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
IAEA Praises Syria for Cooperation
International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have praised Syria for cooperation in a probe into an alleged nuclear site, saying the investigation is off to "a good start".
After four days in Syria on his return to Vienna, IAEA deputy director general Olli Heinonen told reporters Wednesday that inspectors were able to take extensive test samples at the site.
[link to www.alalam.ir] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 459562
6/28/2008 1:51 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Palestinian FM expresses hope for extension of Gaza truce to West Bank.
Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyadh al-Maliki on Saturday expressed his hope that the Egypt-brokered Gaza truce would last and be extended to West Bank.
Maliki made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the second day of the two-day 13th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council ahead of the AU Summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort.
He noted that Egypt's brokering efforts of the calm or ceasefire in Gaza Strip between Hamas and Israel got the support from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"We hope the ceasefire will be extended to West Bank ," the Palestinian foreign minister added.
[link to news.xinhuanet.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 459562
6/28/2008 1:53 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Israeli troops kill Palestinian teen.
Israeli soldiers shot dead a West Bank teenager who threw Molotov cocktails at an army patrol, the army and Palestinian officials said Saturday.
Israeli soldiers entered the village of Beit Umar, near Hebron, late Friday in an operation to stop fire bomb attacks on Israeli vehicles on a nearby highway, the military said.
The troops shot a militant who threw two molotov cocktails at them, a military spokesman said. Palestinians said the shots killed Mohammed Alameh, 17, one of a group of youths who fought the soldiers.
There was no indication that Alameh was a member of a militant group and no immediate sign of retaliation from Gaza Saturday morning.
[link to ap.google.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 459562
6/28/2008 8:01 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Officials: Food trucks to be allowed into Gaza after four-day halt.
Defense officials said resumption of food shipments into the Gaza Strip will be allowed, beginning Sunday after they were halted last week in response to Palestinian rocket attacks.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity as an official statement has yet to be issued, said that in consultations Saturday night defense chiefs decided to allow 80 truckloads to cross from Israel to Gaza on Sunday.
[link to www.jpost.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 459562
6/28/2008 8:04 PM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Palestinian president to hold talks in Syria.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad next month during a tour of Arab and European countries, his spokesman said on Saturday.
Syria provides shelter to Hamas supreme leader Khaled Meshaal, whose movement seized power in the Gaza Strip a year ago, sending Abbas security forces and supporters fleeing to the West Bank and effectively splitting the Palestinians into two entities.
Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said the president would leave Amman on Sunday to attend the opening of the African Union summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt before heading to Greece for a meeting of Socialist International.
He will then return to the Jordanian capital before a two-day visit to Syria and talks with Assad.
The Palestinian leader will later pay an official visit to Rome on July 10 and then go to Paris for the July 13 summit of the Mediterranean Union.
[link to afp.google.com] |
| nonmaterial structure
User ID: 459562
6/29/2008 8:49 AM | | Re: War Thread - The Official Israel v. Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas War Thread 2008. | Quote |
Israel reopens Gaza border crossings.
Israel reopened its border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Sunday to allow a trickle of goods into the territory, putting a rocky cease-fire back on course after Palestinian rocket attacks last week led to a closure of the passages.
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