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Testimony From Gaza: “We Felt Like Sitting Ducks”

August 17, 2014

Testimony From Gaza: “We Felt Like Sitting Ducks”After leaving the Gaza Strip, soldiers are raising their voices and are talking about the reality on the ground.

Some of them talk about how the humanitarian cease-fires “aided Hamas” and “loosen the army”, others claim frustration under an incessant rain of mortar shells.

Aug 17, 2014, 03:49PM | Jerusalemonline Staff

via Israel News – Testimony From Gaza: “We Felt Like Sitting Ducks” – JerusalemOnline.

 

IDF Soldiers During Operation Protective Edge Channel 2/IDF Spokesperson
 

After removal of ground forces from the Gaza Strip and the start of implementation of the first IDF investigations, now comes the evidence – these reservists were called to the area briefly, fought, and lost friends along the way. A testimony of one of the forces operating in the Gaza Strip has been obtained by Channel 2 Online, and may shed some light on the behavior and the atmosphere is one of the combat units and the feelings of the soldiers the day after the battle.

During the operation, a unit from Battalion from Training Base 1 was based in al-Atatra in the northern Gaza Strip. This is a special unit that was called for reserve duty and fought throughout the operation, leaving their families and children at home. “During the operation there was a phase in which the humanitarian cease-fire was continuously extended,” said fighters. “The IDF withheld fire, and the terrorist approached us and improved their attitudes.”

 

We Felt Like Sitting Ducks” Channel 2 News/IDF Spokesperson
 

According to one soldier, during the humanitarian cease-fires, which lasted several hours, it was an absurd situation where the soldiers found themselves under constant fire, but could not ask for artillery or air support. “There was a flood of mortars, it is a miracle that they did not hurt anybody,” he said. “We were just sitting ducks and the feeling of frustration was difficult. We kept waiting for the air force to come and hit the terrorists who fired at us, but that did not happen – perhaps for fear of harming innocent people, perhaps for reasons that were not told to us”.

According to the fighters, just as soon as the humanitarian cease-fire expired, the IDF returned to responding with force – which led to an end to the mortars and fleeing of terrorists.

 

Channel 2 News/Reuters
 

Soldiers: We Asked for Covering But Did Not Receive

After a week of fighting, the soldiers received a message that they are replaced by another. “We talked to the battalion commander who visited us and we asked him for cover as we exited as a shield from Hamas fire,” said one of the fighters.

Minutes after the company started to move towards Israel, a heavy barrage of mortar shells began to fall. “Five were injured. Only by a miracle there were no fatalities, by a miracle,” they said. “It broke a lot of soldiers, contempt on the one hand and helplessness on the other hand – we were in shooting range and the IDF did not respond.”

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Hamas lashes back at Netanyahu, say ‘he’s compensating for failure’

August 17, 2014

Hamas lashes back at Netanyahu, say ‘he’s compensating for failure’

After Netanyahu said Hamas lost and was trying to cover up its military defeat through ceasefire talks, Hamas officials hit back; meanwhile Cairo talks underway, but chances of deal seem slim.

Roi KaisPublished: 08.17.14, 15:03 / Israel News

via Hamas lashes back at Netanyahu, say ‘he’s compensating for failure’ – Israel News, Ynetnews.

 

A perfect play from BIBI

 

Hamas has responded to comments made earlier by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said Hamas lost the conflict and is now attempting to make a political win in compensate for their loss.

“Netanyahu’s comments about victory are farfetched,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, adding that Netanyahy was “compensating for his failure” and said the statements stemmed from “a need to feed media and avoid growing Israeli anger.”

During the Cabinet’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu said “If Hamas thinks that it can cover up its military loss with a diplomatic achievement, it is mistaken.”

Netanyahu reiterated that the goal of current talks, as well as the Gaza operation, was “the restoration of quiet and security for all Israelis,” and noted that “Only if there is a clear response to our security needs will we agree to reach understandings.”

 

Netanyahu (Photo: Amil Salman, Haaretz)
 

Commenting on Netanyahu’s remarks, Abu Zuhri added that “The only way to achieve security is to afford security to the Palestinians first and to lift the blockade and to agree to their demands.”

Inacuratly, the Hamas spokesperson said that “hundreds of (IDF) soldiers were killed and the actions of the resistance and rocket fire managed to hit deep into Israel, creating an aerial blockade of Israel.”

 

Palestinian delegation (Photo: AFP)
 

On Saturday, Osama Hamdan, the head of Hamas’s foreign affairs, said on Facebook: “Israel must accept the demands of the Palestinian people or face a long war.”

Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq said Saturday that the organization has not agreed and will not agree to what was offered the Palestinian delegation before it left Cairo.

“We oppose any formulation that does not match the demands of the Palestinian people. There are many issues that the delegation did not agree to in what was offered,” said al-Risheq, who represented Hamas in Cairo.

Cabinet grows short with talks

According to the prime minister, “In the past month Hamas has taken a severe military blow. We destroyed its network of tunnels that it took years to dig. We intercepted the rockets that it had massed in order to carry out thousands of deadly strikes against the Israeli home front. And we foiled the terrorist attacks that it tried to perpetrate against Israeli civilians – by land, sea and air.”

Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who is also a member of the Security-Cabinet, said that “we must demand safety for Israel’s residents. We must make sure that they feel safe and we cannot complete this operation without them feeling secure again.”

Lapid further noted that “we must create an international mechanism to make sure they are safe.”

Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said that “the most important thing for Israel is the demand that Gaza be demilitarized.” When asked about the Palestinian demand that Gaza get a seaport, the minister said such a port would be a “duty-free for rockets – and in the future Scuds (missiles).

“We will continue talks in Cairo, but we cannot give up on the issue of demilitarization.”

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who is leading a group of ministers objecting to negotiations, called on Israel to leave talks, and implement the unilateral proposal he has been promoting for the last two weeks.

“The current situation in which we are biting our nails waiting for the response of a murderous terrorists group must end. We must stop the negotiations with Hamas and take our fate into our own hands: Humanitarian (aid) yes, terror no,” Bennett said.

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau, a rightist from the Yisrael Beitenu party, slammed the government from the right, and said “Hamas is managing us, we are being led,” he claimed,

“Israel is attempting to reach calm at any price. This is only a temporary calm. In all the previous rounds of fighting after calm was reached we got a more aggressive response. We are turning Hamas into an international player.”

Little optimism as talks start again

Talks in Cairo started again Sunday morning, with the Israeli delegation arriving while the Cabinet convened. The Egyptian government persuaded both sides late Wednesday to adhere to a new five-day ceasefire, extending an earlier three-day agreement in order to allow more time to thrash out a longer-term truce.

But to Egyptian dismay, Palestinians also seem to be playing down the chance a long-term agreement, as international efforts backing Egypt’s proposal have been rising, indicating powers like the US and UN could try to pressure the sides to reach an agreement. The US has already offered Israel assurances over its security, a report claimed.

A member of the Palestinian delegation told The Associated Press on Sunday that the gaps between the sides were still significant and that it was far from certain whether a deal could be reached before the cease-fire expires.

“We are less optimistic than we were earlier,” he said, his comments came after Hamas’ political chief Khaled Mashal said Saturday his group would not back down from a single demand.

Al-Risheq’s remarks joined earlier statements made by a senior Hamas official abroad, Ismail Radwan, who said Hamas refused to postpone deliberations on a seaport and airport – which according to the Egyptian proposal would not be discussed again until a month after an accord was signed.

Hamas’ foreign leadership said Saturday evening that significant progress had yet to be achieved in the Cairo talks. “The draft presented this week by Egypt is not acceptable to us in any way, and it will not be the final formulation,” Hamas said in a statement.

Reuters, Attila Somfalvi and Elior Levy contributed to this report

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Netanyahu: Israel’s security needs must be met

August 17, 2014

Netanyahu: Israel’s security needs must be met

As Israeli delegation lands in Cairo for ceasefire talks, Cabinet convenes, minister say Israel’s security must top agreement;

Minister: ‘It’s better for us if Palestinians are ones who say no to deal’.

Attila Somfalvi

Published: 08.17.14, 11:49 / Israel News

via Netanyahu: Israel’s security needs must be met – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed indirect negotiations currently underway in Cairo regarding a long term ceasefire in Gaza, and said that Israel’s security needs must be addressed. Earlier Sunday, before the Israeli delegation to talks arrived in Egypt, Palestinians said chances to reach a deal were low.

“If Hamas thinks that it can cover up its military loss with a diplomatic achievement, it is mistaken. ,” Netanyahu said.

“If Hamas thinks that continued sporadic firing will cause us to make concessions, it is mistaken. As long as quiet is not restored, Hamas will continue to take very harsh blows. If Hamas thinks that we cannot stand up to it over time, it is mistaken,” he added.

 

Prime Minister Netanyahu / Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh
(Photo: EPA / Mark Israel Selem)

We are a strong and determined people. We have seen this in the amazing revelations of strength and resilience in the past weeks on the part of both our soldiers and our civilians. We will continue to be steadfast and united until we achieve the goals of the campaign – the restoration of quiet and security for all Israelis,” the prime minister said.

“We are in the midst of a military and diplomatic campaign,” Netanyahu said at the beginning of the government’s weekly Cabinet meeting, in which ministers were said to be discussing the ceasefire, as well as a military contingency plan should talks fail to yield results.

“From the first day, the Israeli delegation to Cairo has worked under clear instructions: Insist on the security needs of the State of Israel,” the prime minister said, adding that “Only if there is a clear response to our security needs will we agree to reach understandings.”

According to the prime minister, “In the past month Hamas has taken a severe military blow. We destroyed its network of tunnels that it took years to dig. We intercepted the rockets that it had massed in order to carry out thousands of deadly strikes against the Israeli home front. And we foiled the terrorist attacks that it tried to perpetrate against Israeli civilians – by land, sea and air.”

Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who is also a member of the Security-Cabinet, said that “we must demand safety for Israel’s residents. We must make sure that they feel safe and we cannot complete this operation without them feeling secure again.”

Lapid further noted that “we must create an international mechanism to make sure they are safe.”

Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said that “the most important thing for Israel is the demand that Gaza be demilitarized.” When asked about the Palestinian demand that Gaza get a seaport, the minister said such a port would be a “duty-free for rockets – and in the future Scuds (missiles).

“We will continue talks in Cairo, but we cannot give up on the issue of demilitarization.”

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who is leading a group of ministers objecting to negotations, called on Israel to leave talks, and implement the unilateral proposal he has been promoting for the last two weeks.

“The current situation in which we are biting our nails waiting for the response of a murderous terrorists group must end. We must stop the negotiations with Hamas and take our fate into our own hands: Humanitarian (aid) yes, terror no,” Bennett said.

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau, a rightist from the Yisrael Beitenu party, slammed the government from the right, and said “Hamas is managing us, we are being led,” he claimed,

“Israel is attempting to reach calm at any price. This is only a temporary calm. In all the previous rounds of fighting after calm was reached we got a more aggressive response. We are turning Hamas into an international player.”

Little optimism as talks start again

Talks in Cairo started again Sunday morning, with the Israeli delegation arriving while the Cabinet convened. The Egyptian government persuaded both sides late Wednesday to adhere to a new five-day ceasefire, extending an earlier three-day agreement in order to allow more time to thrash out a longer-term truce.

But to Egyptian dismay, Palestinians also seem to be playing down the chance a long-term agreement, as international efforts backing Egypt’s proposal have been rising, indicating powers like the US and UN could try to pressure the sides to reach an agreement. The US has already offered Israel assurances over its security, a report claimed.

A member of the Palestinian delegation told The Associated Press on Sunday that the gaps between the sides were still significant and that it was far from certain whether a deal could be reached before the cease-fire expires.

“We are less optimistic than we were earlier,” he said, his comments came after Hamas’ political chief Khaled Mashal said Saturday his group would not back down from a single demand.

A senior Israeli Cabinet minister told Ynet that “it is very possible that talks will end without an agreement, and it is possible that this senior is preferable in comparison to the other options currently on the table.”

A senior political source told Ynet that Israel is mulling its next steps, but said that “it is better for us if the Palestinians are the ones who say no, and this now seems to be the situation.”

Another Cabinet minister said that despite ongoing talks, and past Israeli willingness to ease restrictions on Palestinians, “it is possible we are returning to a ‘calm in return for calm’ formula.”

Cabinet minister, first and foremost Economy Minister Naftali Bennet say that any renewed rocket fire will be met with a massive Israeli response, and the Cabinet is also said to be discussing the possibility of a renewed ground offensive in Gaza should aggressions start again.

Bennett told Ynet that even though he supports unilateral moves which would better the situation for Gaza while undermining Hamas control, he believes a ground offensive could topple Hamas within a number of months.

When fighting began Israel position was that any aggression by Hamas or Gaza militants would be met with aggression, while any calm would be met with calm. The logic behind the formula was Israel’s reluctance to negotiate with Hamas, a group it, the US and many Western nations recognize as a terror organization.

Egyptian diplomats told the Turkish news agency Anatolia that Egypt is making efforts to persuade the two sides to resume the ceasefire until a final agreement is reached, rather than extend the ceasefire for a specified period of time.

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Netanyahu: Hamas Mistaken to Think Israel Lacks Unity, Determination or Fortitude

August 17, 2014

Netanyahu pointed out it’s a mistake to underestimate the unity of Israelis when faced with an external threat.

By: Hana Levi Julian

Published: August 17th, 2014

via The Jewish Press » » Netanyahu: Hamas Mistaken to Think Israel Lacks Unity, Determination or Fortitude.

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting.
Photo Credit: Marc Israel Sellem / POOL / Flash 90
 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Hamas terrorists Sunday not to underestimate Israel’s ability to hold out under any ‘war of attrition’ the group might attempt.

“We are in the midst of a combined military and diplomatic campaign,” Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday’s government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

“From the first day, the Israeli delegation to Cairo has worked under clear instructions: Insist on the security needs of the State of Israel. Only if there is a clear response to our security needs will we agree to reach understandings,” he said.

The comment came in response to the rejection by Hamas of an 11-point tentative plan reached Thursday in Cairo, in connection which Palestinian Arab representatives had expressed optimism.

That was before Hamas leaders had made the requisite pilgrimage to see politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, who is based comfortably in Qatar – not with his suffering brethren in Gaza – and who over the weekend with his Qatari handlers immediately nixed the deal.

Israeli officials had maintained silence about the plan throughout the weekend, other than to say that any deal must meet the security needs of the Jewish State.

On Saturday night, Hamas leaders returned to Gaza with bluster and brazen attitude, demanding the inclusion of two points that were turned down by Israel: construction of a seaport and airport in Gaza. Both would create an instant express route for the import of weaponry into the enclave, totally impractical from Israel’s security standpoint since Hamas has proved itself to be without honor and incapable of sticking to agreements or cease-fires for any length of time.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal revealed the White House placed a ‘hold’ on an imminent delivery of Hellfire missiles that was due to arrive in Israel and issued an order to the Pentagon that future military transactions must be scrutinized directly by the State Department and the Oval Office.

The move emboldened Hamas and its backers, who might otherwise have reached the point of understanding that it was in the best interest of Gazans for Hamas to reach an agreement for quiet, if not peace, with Israel. Instead, the terrorist group decided it would prefer to continue its campaign of terror.

Late Saturday night, Hamas officials announced that Israel should prepare for a “long war of attrition” if the Jewish State is not willing to “meet all our demands.”

But that’s a mistake, Netanyahu said, despite the sporadic demonstrations that terrorists have seen on television protesting against the government’s handling of the conflict.

“In the past month Hamas has taken a severe military blow. We destroyed its network of tunnels that it took years to dig. We intercepted the rockets that it had massed in order to carry out thousands of deadly strikes against the Israeli home front. And we foiled the terrorist attacks that it tried to perpetrate against Israeli civilians – by land, sea and air,” Netanyahu said.

“If Hamas thinks that it can cover up its military loss with a diplomatic achievement, it is mistaken,” he warned. “If Hamas thinks that continued sporadic firing will cause us to make concessions, it is mistaken.

“As long as quiet is not restored, Hamas will continue to take very harsh blows. If Hamas thinks that we cannot stand up to it over time, it is mistaken.

“In the stormy and unstable Middle East in which we live, it is not enough that there be more strength, determination and patience are also necessary. Hamas knows that we are very strong but maybe it thinks that we do not have enough determination and patience, and here it is making a big mistake.”

It is not wise, the prime minister pointed out, to underestimate the unity of the Jewish People when they come under attack from an external enemy. This was the same mistake Hamas made at the very start of Operation Protective Edge.

“We are a strong and determined people. We have seen this in the amazing revelations of strength and resilience in the past weeks on the part of both our soldiers and our civilians,” Netanyahu said.

“We will continue to be steadfast and united until we achieve the goals of the campaign – the restoration of quiet and security for all Israelis.”

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Day 40: Egypt warns there will be no more truce proposals

August 16, 2014

Day 40: Egypt warns there will be no more truce proposalsHamas threatens Israel with war of attrition if demands not met, says many more issues to be resolved in Cairo negotiations; Palestinian delegation says progress made but chances for ceasefire deal no higher than 50%By Yifa Yaakov and Ricky Ben-David August 16, 2014, 12:13 am Updated: August 16, 2014, 3:03 pm

via Day 40: Egypt warns there will be no more truce proposals | The Times of Israel.

 

Palestinian boys with Hamas supporters hold toy guns and shout slogans
during a demonstration in the West Bank city of Nablus
on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (photo credit: AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)

 

15:15

$1,000 of Qatari money to be paid to Gazans who lost homes

The Hamas social affairs ministry tells Palestinians in Gaza that in two day’s time, it will pay — using donations from Qatar — $1,000 to each person whose home was destroyed during Operation Protective Edge, Ynet reports.

14:59

‘Hamas has not agreed to the Egyptian proposal’

A senior Hamas official says the terror group has not agreed and will not agree to what the Palestinian delegation has been offered before leaving Cairo, Ynet reports

“The stance of the [Palestinian] delegation is clear. We will not accept what has been offered to us before we leave. We object to any formula [of a proposal] that does not go hand in hand with the demands of the Palestinian people. There are several issues [in the 11-point Egyptian proposal] that are unacceptable to the delegation,’ says Issat a-Rishq, a close associate of Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal.

14:50

No more ceasefire proposals, says Egypt

Egypt says it will not submit any more ceasefire proposals to either side, after Cairo offered an 11-point proposal yesterday, Israel Radio reports.

Hamas has said the bid did not meet the needs of the Palestinian people.

14:45

Head of Palestinian delegation has ‘high hopes’ for truce deal

Azzam al-Ahmad, who heads the Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks, tells AFP he is quietly optimistic that an agreement for a longer-term truce could be reached.

“We have high hopes of reaching an agreement very soon, before the end of the truce, and perhaps even, very quickly, for a permanent ceasefire,” he says.

But Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri struck a hardline, insisting that there can be no return to peace without a lifting of Israel’s blockade, which it imposed together with Egypt in large part to prevent Hamas from importng weapons, after it violently seized control in 2007.

“We can reach an agreement if the Israeli side accepts all the demands of the unified Palestinian delegation, in particular the end of any aggression against our people, the war on Gaza and the complete lifting of the siege,” Abu Zuhri said.

Israel has spoken little in public about the negotiations.

The five-day truce is set to end Monday night.

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They are coming – Judge Jeanine Pirro Opening Statement

August 16, 2014

 

Published on Aug 9, 2014

Judge Jeanine Pirro Opening Statement – United States Back In Iraq To Attack ISIS
Krauthammer: You Either Do Air Strikes Seriously Or Don’t Do Them At All
Judge Jeanine Pirro Opening Statement – Striking ISIS – The Fight For Iraq – 8-10-2014 Bellow

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‘Moderate’ Palestinian Authority Claims U.S. Created ISIS To Divide Muslims

August 16, 2014

Moderate’ Palestinian Authority Claims U.S. Created ISIS To Divide Muslims

The US, whose most advanced pawns include Israel and its new creation, ISIS, whose goal is to destroy the Arab world and eliminate the Palestinian cause.”

8.15.2014Israel RevoltJeff Dunetz

via ‘Moderate’ Palestinian Authority Claims U.S. Created ISIS To Divide Muslims | Truth Revolt.

 

 

he supposedly “moderate” Palestinian Authority led by President Abbas is rewarding the billions of dollars provided by this country by inciting its citizens to hate the United States, claiming America has established the radical Islamic movement Islamic State (ISIS or IS) with the long-term goal of controlling the Arab-Muslim states by dividing them through conflict and wars.​

On August 7th, the official Palestinian Authority TV Station, the “Palestine News Network,” reported Fatah Central Committee Member Abbas Zaki made the claim:

Fatah Central Committee Member and Commissioner of Arab Relations and Relations with China Abbas Zaki said the Palestinian language and terminology [employed] with the Zionist enemy must be changed, as whoever has seen the extent of the destruction, the ruins and the limbs torn from the pure bodies of our people in Gaza understands the goals of the Zionist attack (i.e., Operation Protective Edge) – [namely,] to exploit the terrible situation in the Arab world that has resulted from the lack of bravery, enthusiasm and willpower among those [countries] who have made subjugation to the US their way [of life]… [The US,] whose most advanced pawns include Israel and its new creation, ISIS, whose goal is to destroy the Arab world and eliminate the Palestinian cause.

Additionally five times in the past six week the official Palestinian Authority Newspaper “Al-Hayat Al-Jadida” published an op-ed slandering America with the same claim. Below are three examples:

A July 10th Op-ed by Adli Sadeq, PLO Ambassador to India and regular columnist for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, said, in part:

It is Israel that, whenever it gets bored, returns to Gaza with military aircraft to destroy homes and facilities and kill children. Where is the help, you [Hezbollah] sectarian liars who collaborate with the Persian Ayatollahs… hostile [ones], and your ilk – the CIA’s collaborators from the ISIS -who destroy revolutions and give nations a bad name?

Palestinian Youth Union General Director Muharram Barghouti wrote on July 16th:

The ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq), Islamic Front, and Al-Nusra Front (i.e., all radical Islamists) are Muslims from various countries the US is using to fight in Iraq and Syria, in order to fragment the unity of these two Arab countries…

We are now more aware that the Americans – who want to fight for their own interests using Islamic, Jewish and Christian believers – are truly the head of the snake… ISIS’s declaration that it will fight Israel only after it has finished with the infidels merely proves that ISIS in Syria and Iraq will not fight the Jewish ISIS, because the plot is the same plot, the boss is the same boss, and the goal is the same goal: to tear [apart] the Arab homeland and gain control of its resources – through the blood of others.”

Palestinian Author Ibrahim Abd Al-Majid​’s op-ed on August 3rd:

This [ignorance] has peaked in [recent] years, with the radical terrorists of ISIS and those like them, who were created by Israel and the US, and are paving the way for Israel to act like them.”

These as well as the remaining examples were originally posted at Palwatch

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Hamas to Israel: Accept our terms or brace for war of attrition

August 16, 2014

Hamas to Israel: Accept our terms or brace for war of attrition

While Cairo ceasefire talks expected to resume tomorrow, Hamas official says that if demands of Palestinian delegation are not met, Israel should prepare itself for a prolonged war.

YnetnewsPublished: 08.16.14, 10:34 / Israel News

via Hamas to Israel: Accept our terms or brace for war of attrition – Israel News, Ynetnews.

 

Senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad members say that the proposals that Palestinians received during the negotiations in Cairo, including those detailed in the latest Egyptian draft, do not meet their demands, Israel Radio reported. Hamas’ foreign affairs spokesman Osama Hamdan said during a visit to Sudan that Israel has a choice: accept the terms of the Palestinian people or prepare for a prolonged war of attrition.

According to the report, a senior Islamic Jihad operative in Gaza said that the Palestinian delegation will not sign a degrading agreement and would prefer to return to the Strip without any agreement. However, he added that his organization would give Egypt enough time to conduct successful negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.

 

Palestinian delegation to Cairo talks
 

Speaking ahead of the renewal of the talks in Cairo on Sunday, Khaled al-Batesh, member of the Palestinian envoy in Cairo and leader of the Islamic Jihad Movement stressed that “the Palestinian factions have put forward reasonable and limited aims for the current campaign, and didn’t ask for the release of the city of Ramla.” Al-Batesh also criticized the Egyptian efforts, saying the country “could have done more for the Palestinians.”

Meanwhile, Bassam Salhi, a Palestinian delegation member, said that progress is being made in the talks but that the chances of reaching an agreement in the upcoming round of talks are no greater than 50% due to differences of opinion on several issues, the report added. According to Salhi, the Palestinians are prepared to postpone the discussion of operating a seaport and airport in Gaza, but only by several weeks.

Two-pronged formula

On Friday, a report from an Egyptian news source published additional details of the current ceasefire draft from talks in Cairo, saying that the document stipulates that organizations in Gaza will concede to cease the construction of new smuggling tunnels in and out of the Strip.

Palestinian officials expressed optimism regarding the proposal currently on the table, meant to reach a long-term ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel’s Cabinet convened, presumably to discuss the looming deal.

Palestinian source close to the talks spoke with Ynet and said the current ceasefire deal was based on two simple formulas which together formed the agreement: (1) A ceasefire deal in return for Gaza’s rehabilitation, and (2) redevelopment of Gaza in return for demilitarization of the Strip.

The two pronged deal will be gradually implemented, the sources said.

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett seemed to hint a deal existed, but said that Israel should make unilateral concessions to Palestinians in Gaza without actually reaching an agreement with Hamas, which he claimed would empower the terror group.

Speaking at the end of Cabinet meeting Friday morning, Bennett said Israel should open Gaza’s border crossings and expand the Strip’s fishing zone unilaterally, without reaching a deal with Hamas, which he said “harms our right to target (terror) tunnels.”

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Palestinian officials: War behind us, Gaza ceasefire deal imminent

August 15, 2014

Palestinian officials: War behind us, Gaza ceasefire deal imminent

Deal reportedly reached to see calm in Gaza extended based on two-pronged formula: Ceasefire in return for rehabilitation of Gaza and redevelopment in return for demilitarization; meanwhile, Israeli Cabinet convenes, Islamic Jihad says: War has ended.

Elior Levy, Roi Kais

Published: 08.15.14, 14:50 / Israel News

via Palestinian officials: War behind us, Gaza ceasefire deal imminent – Israel News, Ynetnews.

 

A Ceasefire , a redevelopment, a demilitarization ,  BUT NO PEACE TREATY , who can believe this ?

It is just impossible for them to sign peace with Jews and unbelievers, it is a religious thing ! The Islaam !

A ceasefire can be broken any time as proven in the past, a peace treaty NOT , according islamic laws .

Just to fool Israel and the rest of the world, they have a word for it .

Taqiyya and Kitman

 

Palestinian officials expressed optimism Friday regarding current diplomatic attempts to reach a long-term ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel’s Cabinet convened, presumably to discuss the looming deal.

Palestinian source close to the talks spoke with Ynet and said the current ceasefire deal was based on two simple formulas which together formed the agreement: (1) A ceasefire deal in return for Gaza’s rehabilitation, and (2) redevelopment of Gaza in return for demilitarization of the Strip.

The two pronged deal will be gradually implemented, the sources said.

 

Palestinian delegation to Cairo talks (Photo: AFP)
 

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett seemed to hint a deal existed, but said that Israel should make unilateral concessions to Palestinians in Gaza without actually reaching an agreement with Hamas, which he claimed would empower the terror group.

Speaking at the end of Cabinet meeting Friday morning, Bennett said Israel should open Gaza’s border crossings and expand the Strip’s fishing zone unilaterally, without reaching a deal with Hamas, which he said “harms our right to target (terror) tunnels.”

Speaking to Israel Radio, Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz said Friday before the meeting that that Israel “in the midst of the final stages of negotiations.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s second-in-command, Ziad Nahala, said Friday that the “war was over.”

 

Ziad Nahala (Photo: Reuters)

Speaking to Al Hayat, Nahala said that “at this point we have no choice but to reach a truce. That stands at the head of our priorities. I believe that we are approaching an agreement.”

“The great destruction caused by the war obligates us,” he said, adding that though the majority of the Palestinian delegation’s demands were not met, “Our achievements are acceptable.”

Photo: AP

Two-pronged deal: From ceasefire to demilitarization

The ‘ceasefire for rehabilitation’ and ‘redevelopment for demilitarization’ formula will be gradually implemented, and each will be conditioned on the other.

In the first stage, a deal will be signed promising a calm period during which time Gaza will go massive rehabilitation efforts, and stipulates a number of international projects for rebuilding the Strip.

In the second stage, in return for a demilitarization of Gaza, larger infrastructure development projects will begin, also under international oversight.

Nonetheless, it is far from certain a Palestinian commitment to a demilitarization of Gaza will include a complete disarming of all of the terror factions in Gaza.

Moreover, the relative level demilitarization will influence the level of redevelopment, and therefore, as Hamas will retain some of its arms and military capabilities, there will not be a sea or air port in Gaza; however, movement from sea and land will be permitted under international oversight.

Israel’s goal in such a deal is to block potential rearming by terror factions, first and foremost by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

Egypt for its part wants to create a situation in which Hamas cannot create its own arms and rockets through materials smuggled Rafah tunnels, diverting these materials to international forces working on reconstructing the Strip. Thus Egypt, with the support of Israel, is de facto tightening its hold over Hamas.

Palestinians claim that the current five day lull is not a sign of progress, but only a sign that the sides believe that a deal can be reached given more time. They further claim that the discussion regarding sea and air ports – one of the Palestinians central demands – have been postponed to next month.

A Palestinian involved in talks told Asharq Al Awast that the chances of reaching a deal were more than 50 percent, but noted that “a number of issue remains.” According to him the chances of reaching a deal were contingent on “Israel’s desire to reach a long term accord.”

Speaking to the paper, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamadallah reuitered that the Palestinian delegation is unified, after initial talks exposed anger at Hamas by more moderate Palestinian factions.

“These are not Hamas’s conditions, Hamadallah said, “they are Palestinian demands. There is a unified delegation in Cairo which represents all political factions, even of those in the diaspora.

“The demands are the lifting of the blockade and the opening of the crossings, among others. And these are not the requirements of a particular faction but the Palestinian people and leadership.”

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PA: Benefits to Palestinian Businesses that Boycott Israel

August 15, 2014

PA: Benefits to Palestinian Businesses that Boycott Israel

Israel supplies the Palestinian Authority with electricity, and this is nothing new.

But this electricity has recently become a weapon against Israel.

The PA decided to boycott Israeli goods sold in the West Bank and granted numerous benefits to businessmen, including discounts on electric bills, in order to encourage them to stop selling blue and white.

Aug 15, 2014, 02:45PM | James McIntosh

via Israel News – PA: Benefits to Palestinian Businesses that Boycott Israel – JerusalemOnline.

 

Poster Channel 2 News

First publication: the trend of boycotting Israeli products has really made its way to us, over the fence. The Palestinian Authority has called on Palestinian businessmen to boycott all goods made in Israel in exchange for economic incentives.

“Shops free of Israeli goods will be eligible for a full exemption from the business license fee for a year, as well as a 10% discount on their electric bill for six months,” said an official letter from the PA Ministry of Local Government to West Bank businessmen. It must be noted that Israel provides the PA with the electricity serving as an incentive for the shop-owners.

In another poster making the rounds on social media and the Palestinian street, the logos of Israeli companies can be seen adorning missiles with an Israeli Star of David. The poster includes a call to buy only Palestinian products.

“Objective: promote the boycott among the entire Palestinian people”

The PA used to have a law prohibiting the purchase of goods made in the settlements. Former PA prime minister Salam Fayyad was filmed burning goods produced beyond the Green Line. But this time it seems that they really have taken a step up.

Exports from Israel to the PA are valued at approximately NIS 5 billion. Food exports are estimated to be more than a fifth of this sum, which would be a difficult blow to Israeli food companies.

In the meanwhile, the Palestinian street has seen considerable cooperation with the boycott by citizens, and even private initiatives to label Israeli goods have emerged. “Our objective is to promote the principles of the boycott among the entire Palestinian people, which could economically influence the occupation’s products and factories,” said Ammar al-Zatari, one of the leaders of the boycott.

It seems that the battle over the land has become the battle over the wallet, and when the PA boycott merges with the world boycott, it seems that it will be very difficult for Israel to win this war as well.

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