WarSclerotic

Israel and Hamas Agree to Extend Ceasefire, Israel National News, Elad Benari, August 13, 2014

(Is the yo-yo going up and down,  left and right or in all directions simultaneously? Apparently. — DM

Just as Hamas violates ceasefire which was set to expire at midnight, the sides announce it will be extended for another five days.

Rocket barrage from GazaReuters

Israel and the Palestinian Arabs agreed late Wednesday to extend a ceasefire in Gaza after failing to reach a long term agreement in Cairo-mediated talks, an Egyptian official said, according to AFP.

The new ceasefire will last five days, said senior Palestinian negotiator Azzam al-Ahmed, after he and other officials initially spoke of another 72-hour lull.

“It will last for five days,” he said, adding more time was needed to discuss “some” remaining disputes with Israel over a long-term truce.

An Egyptian official said Israel also accepted the proposal. Israel had earlier said it would back an extension of the lull.

A previously agreed three-day ceasefire was set to expire on Wednesday at midnight, though Hamas violated it just after 9:00 p.m. when it fired at least one rocket towards the Hof Ashkelon area.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denied, however, that the group fired any rockets at Israel.

Just as the announcement of the extension of the ceasefire was made, another siren sounded in southern Israel.

A rocket exploded in an open area in the Eshkol region, causing no physical injuries or damages.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas said that it will not agree to lengthen the lull unless “real progress” is made in the negotiations being held in Cairo.

“We face decisive hours,” said a Hamas spokesman. “All options are open at the moment.”

AQAP ideologue praises jihadi victories in Iraq, comments on Berghdal release, Long War Journal, Oren Adaki, August 13, 2014

New AQAP video titled “A Talk About the Events.” Source: YouTube.

A new video released on Aug. 12 by the al-Malahim Media Foundation, the media wing of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), features the terrorist organization’s chief ideologue and theologian, Ibrahim al Rubaish, commenting on a variety of current events. In the video, entitled “A Talk About the Events,” Rubaish discusses recent mujahideen victories in Iraq, the prisoner swap in which the Afghan Taliban released American soldier Bowe Bergdahl, and the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Reminding viewers of the need to stay stay abreast of current events in the Muslim world, Rubaish prefaces his discussion by emphasizing that “the brotherhood among the believers is stronger than the ties of kinship.” He explains that the Muslim nation is “as one house: its success and failure affects the entire family.”

After that introduction, Rubaish then turns to recent developments in Iraq. He congratulates the mujahideen as well as the entire Muslim community “for the victories achieved by our brothers in Iraq,” without explicitly mentioning the Islamic State by name. Rubaish notes that these military victories are a “grace from Allah” and stresses the importance of giving thanks for such blessings.

Rubaish shows a keen awareness of the fact that the dust has not yet settled on the Iraqi battlefields, however. He calls on all Muslims to pray to Allah “to make the victory completed” and to rid their community of those who wish to “turn our victory into defeat.” He beseeches the Sunni mujahideen to stop all infighting and to battle for the implementation of Islamic law as a united front.

Wrapping up his analysis of Iraqi developments, Rubaish suggests that if the Sunnis of Yemen follow the lead of their coreligionists in Iraq and act as “one hand,” they could recreate the victories of Iraq and repel the Houthi advance on Sana’a.

Rubaish’s comments on Iraq are in line with his previous pronouncements on the subject, which appear to be equivocal by design. In a video released last month called “Responsibility of the Word,” Rubaish and Harith bin Ghazi al Nadhari, another AQAP ideologue, condemned the vicious infighting between the Islamic State and its rivals in Syria without mentioning specific events or parties. Nevertheless, their messages were quickly trumpeted on Twitter at that time by rivals of the Islamic State in the al Nusrah Front while they were condemned by another AQAP ideologue supportive of the Islamic State.

Turning to the release of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl, Rubaish congratulates the Muslim community for the success of the deal which released five Taliban commanders. In his exaltation, Rubaish exclaims, “Who would have ever though that the American pride would break in front of the demands of the mujahideen!”

Rubaish next addresses the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, explaining that the Saudis hired Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al Sisi to tighten the siege on Gaza and close the border crossings during the Israeli operation. Rubaish continues with a long rant excoriating Muslim “traitors” who aid or facilitate Israeli operations against Hamas. At one point, he likens Israel to a chair held up by legs representing Arab traitors. “If the legs break,” he says, “or one of them, the chair would fall, Allah permitting.”

At the conclusion of his 11-minute video, Rubaish comments on the July 4 AQAP attack on the Wadia border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Yemen that spilled into the Saudi town of Sharurah. He notes that Saudi authorities did not negotiate at all for the soldiers kidnapped by AQAP during the attack who were subsequently killed. He accuses the Saudi Ministry of Interior of exploiting its soldiers to do its bidding and then deluding their families after their deaths by calling them “martyrs.”

Warning rocket sirens in southern Israel end three-day ceasefire Wednesday. Cairo talks fail, DEBKAfile, August 13, 2014

Two hours before the Gaza truce was due to end Wednesday midnight, Palestinian rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at large parts of southern Israel, including Ashkelon, Kiryat Gath, Yoav District, Shear Hanegev. Two were intercepted. No casualties were reported. Hamas envoys said that the Cairo talks had broken down and the truce would not be renewed unless their conditions were met. They called off a scheduled news conference without explanation. Hamas went back to launching rockets after Israel nodded its acceptance of a further truce, while at the same time concentrating armored forces on the Gaza border in case the Palestinians against fired rockets. Wednesday afternoon, IDF reservists were called up, as columns of tanks, tank carriers and APCs thundered down the roads leading to the Gaza border.

DEBKAfile reported Tuesday: The seventh truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas passage of arms is generally expected to end Wednesday night Aug. 13, in a fresh outbreak of hostilities triggered by resumed Hamas rocket fire. The general media trend predicted a further ceasefire.

Our sources also reported that the indirect Egyptian-brokered talks between the parties in Cairo never got off the ground. From the start, all three realized that the gaps between Israel and the Palestinians were unbridgeable and, moreover, that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority were totally at odds on a common negotiating stance.

DEBKAfile’s intelligence sources learned that Egyptian intelligence mediators presented separate papers to the Israelis and Palestinians, knowing – as they acknowledged behind the scenes – that the two papers were miles apart but they were not overly concerned about the lack of headway.

Our military sources say that Israel’s government and military leaders were braced for the next stage of the confrontation with Hamas, which will be a lot tougher, deeper and broader than a few restrained air strikes.

Hamas source: Negotiations have failed, Ynet News, Elior Levy, Attila Somfalvi, August 13, 2014

(Confusing? — DM)

Haniyeh says ‘long-term ceasefire possible only if Israel lifts siege’, Netanyahu, Obama talk ceasefire, but chances of deal being reached seem slim with lull set to expire midnight.

Head of the Palestinian delegation, Azzam al-Ahmed, said Wednesday that talks in Cairo have ended, but did not say if a deal had been reached. Meanwhile a Hamas source said negotiations have failed and that the Palestinian delegation will announce it is leaving. Israel has reportedly accepted the deal.

A source within the Palestinian delegation confirmed that the Israeli delegation has left and since landed back in Israel, but said that “last minute efforts are still underway.” The Palestinian delegation was expected to hold a press conference at 9:30 pm (local time) and announce the results of negotiations, but the conference has since been postponed.

Azzam al-Ahmed (Photo: AFP)

Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh reiterated Hamas demands for a long-term ceasefire as parties met to discuss the extension of the current three day ceasefire set to expire midnight Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the White House says Obama and Netanyahu spoke about a possible Gaza ceasefire in phone conversation Wednesday. Earlier, the IDF said it was repositioning its forces near Gaza, in case no deal is reached an fighting resumes.

Nonetheless, Haniyeh’s comments seem to indicate that the current round of talks will not yield a long lasting deal, but could possibly see another 72-hour extension to the current lull in fighting. This scenario was confirmed as likely by a source close to the talks.

The Israeli delegation to ceasefire talks has left Cairo and is on its way back to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, sources in the Palestinian envoy said that a press conference would be held at 9:30pm local time to announce the products of the negotiations.

Palestinian delegation (Photo: Reuters)

Turkish opposition charges government knew of ISIL training, recruiting

Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Despite assurances to the West, Turkey has retained the presence of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Opposition sources said ISIL has continued to operate in Turkey amid the Al Qaida wars in neighboring Iraq and Syria. They said ISIL was recruiting and training its fighters in remote areas of Turkey with the knowledge of the intelligence community.

On July 30, an opposition parliamentarian demanded that the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirm details of ISIL training in Turkey.

Sezin Tanrikulu, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, said ISIL was operating several training camps, including one near Istanbul.

“Is the claim [correct] that the group alleged to have been the Turkish branch of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has been allocated a camp ground or other places in Istanbul?” Tanrikulu asked.

Tanrikulu directed his questions to Interior Minister Efkan Ala and cited a video that showed alleged ISIL members training in Turkey. The online video, released by a Turkish website close to Al Qaida, showed hundreds of purported ISIL fighters praying during Id Al Fitr on July 28.

“Who is this group?” Tanrikulu said. “What does it consist of?”

The opposition, echoing assertions by NATO, has accused Erdogan of tolerating ISIL. The ISIL presence was said to have been overseen by Turkish intelligence community chief Hikan Fidan, deemed close to Erdogan.

In the video, ISIL fighters pledged to conduct holy war in Turkey. Over the last year, officials have reported several alerts of imminent ISIL attacks. In June 2014, ISIL stormed the Turkish consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and took 49 hostage, including consul-general Ozturk Yilmaz.

“Is it true that Istanbul Provincial Police Department and Gendarmerie Command were ordered not to interfere when the group, the extension of a terrorist organization, was calling for jihad in Istanbul?” Tanrikulu asked. “Who gave these orders?”

Salvo fired at south hours before ceasefire set to end, Ynet News, Ilana Curiel, August 13, 2014

Two hours before ceasefire set to end, and with parties still working in Cairo to extend lull, Gaza militants break truce, fire rockets at Israel.

Rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza Strip Wednesday evening, two hours before a 72-hour ceasefire was set to expire at midnight.

A rocket from Gaza fell in an open area in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and another was reportedly intercepted.

Code red sirens were heard throughout the south Wednesday evening, including the area of Kiryat Gat and the Hof Ashkelon, Sha’ar Hanegev and Yoav regional councils.

The news came as Israeli and Palestinian delegations were working to extend the three day old ceasefire in Gaza.

Head of the Palestinian delegation, Azzam al-Ahmed, said Wednesday that talks in Cairo have ended, but did not say if a deal had been reached. Meanwhile a Hamas source said negotiations have failed and that the Palestinian delegation will announce it is leaving. Israel has reportedly accepted the deal.

A source within the Palestinian delegation confirmed that the Israeli delegation has left and since landed back in Israel, but said that “last minute efforts are still underway.”

The Palestinian delegation was expected to hold a press conference at 9:30 pm (local time) and announce the results of negotiations, but the conference has since been postponed.

Only Sunday morning, before the ceasefire came into effect, six rockets hit Israel’s south, contributing to growing anger in Israel at the government and IDF who told residents they could return last Thursday, under the assumption the ceasefire would hold.

Responding to criticism that Israel was quick the declare an end to the fighting and told citizens it can return to the south, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said “We will not compromise until rocket fire and terror completely stop. We see the overarching political and military picture and will not finish the operation until quiet and security are returned to Israel’s citizens.”

IDF mobilizing forces along Gaza border as clock ticks on temporary cease-fire, Jerusalem Post, August 13, 2014

Military calling up reservists as threat of renewed fighting looms with no sign of permanent truce apparent at tail end of 3-day cease-fire.

IDF soldiers stand atop a tank near the border with Gaza. [File] Photo: REUTERS

The IDF was mobilizing forces along the border with Gaza on Wednesday ahead of the expiration of a three-day cease-fire at 12 a.m. Thursday, Channel 2 reported.

The threat of renewed fighting loomed as it remained uncertain whether Israeli and Palestinian negotiators engaged in indirect talks in Cairo would forge a long-term truce to take effect following the temporary one.

The IDF also deployed nine Iron Dome batteries throughout the country as Israel was bracing for the possibility of Gazan terrorists resuming rocket attacks in the event that cease-fire negotiations break down, Channel 2 cited a senior Air Force official as saying.

The military was also reportedly calling up addition reservists to bolsters the soldiers positioned near the Gaza border.

Palestinian officials said that they are seriously considering agreeing to extend talks past the 72-hour deadline.

On Wednesday, the clock ticked toward the end of a the temporary cease-fire with no sign of a breakthrough in indirect talks in Cairo.

It was reported by Reuters that President Barak Obama spoke to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening.

A Palestinian official with knowledge of the negotiations said Egypt had presented a new proposal for a permanent truce agreement that addressed a major Palestinian demand for a lifting of the Israeli and Egyptian blockades of the Gaza Strip.

Israel and Egypt harbor deep security concerns about Hamas, the dominant Islamist group in the small, Mediterranean coastal enclave, complicating any deal on easing border restrictions.

It was unclear from the official’s remarks how those worries, along with Israel’s demand for Gaza’s demilitarization, would be dealt with. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said disarming was not an option.

Israeli negotiators returned to Egypt after returning overnight to Israel with the truce in the month-old hostilities due to expire.

Palestinian delegates and Egyptian intelligence officials reconvened for talks that could go down to the wire.