1. Obama to Appoint ME Crisis Team
by Gil Ronen
United States President-elect Barack Obama said he will appoint a team immediately after his inauguration on Tuesday to address on "Day One" the crisis in Gaza, as well as other troubles across the Middle East.
"We've got a regional set of problems," Obama said in an interview with USA Today, noting the challenges in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in addition to the war over the Land of Israel. "They're not going to be solved in isolation. And we've got to be active in all these areas in order for us to be successful in any of these areas."
According to the report, Obama is planning a “diplomatic offensive, which could include the appointment of special envoys,” and which “contrasts sharply” with President Bush's approach to the region. “Bush put less emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict early in his tenure and tended to deal with Middle East problems separately,” the report explained.
Most Americans Blame Arab Side
The most recent poll by Rasmussen Reports showed 53% of Americans at least somewhat confident in Obama’s ability to deal with the situation in Gaza, including 25% who are “very confident” in the President-elect.
The Rasmussen poll found that 56 percent of voters nationwide believe that “the Palestinians are to blame” for the current situation in Gaza, while 13 percent say Israel is at fault. Close to half - 45% - said Israel was justified in taking military action against Gaza, while 38% opined that the Jewish nation should have tried harder to find a diplomatic solution.
As in the earlier survey, Republicans strongly agree with Israel, while Democrats wish there had been more efforts at diplomacy. Half of those polled said Israel should agree to a truce now, while 26 percent disagree.
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by Gil Ronen
United States President-elect Barack Obama said he will appoint a team immediately after his inauguration on Tuesday to address on "Day One" the crisis in Gaza, as well as other troubles across the Middle East.
"We've got a regional set of problems," Obama said in an interview with USA Today, noting the challenges in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in addition to the war over the Land of Israel. "They're not going to be solved in isolation. And we've got to be active in all these areas in order for us to be successful in any of these areas."
According to the report, Obama is planning a “diplomatic offensive, which could include the appointment of special envoys,” and which “contrasts sharply” with President Bush's approach to the region. “Bush put less emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict early in his tenure and tended to deal with Middle East problems separately,” the report explained.
Most Americans Blame Arab Side
The most recent poll by Rasmussen Reports showed 53% of Americans at least somewhat confident in Obama’s ability to deal with the situation in Gaza, including 25% who are “very confident” in the President-elect.
The Rasmussen poll found that 56 percent of voters nationwide believe that “the Palestinians are to blame” for the current situation in Gaza, while 13 percent say Israel is at fault. Close to half - 45% - said Israel was justified in taking military action against Gaza, while 38% opined that the Jewish nation should have tried harder to find a diplomatic solution.
As in the earlier survey, Republicans strongly agree with Israel, while Democrats wish there had been more efforts at diplomacy. Half of those polled said Israel should agree to a truce now, while 26 percent disagree.
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2. 1,200 Gaza Targets Bombed
by Hillel Fendel
Tomorrow, Saturday, will mark three weeks since the beginning of the war in Gaza, currently known as Operation Cast Lead. Though it is hard to give a geo-political interim appraisal, the numbers thus far tell their own story.
The Israel Air Force has bombed a total of some 1,200 targets in Gaza, including more than 300 in the past week. Among them are tunnels under the Philadelphi Route between southern Gaza and Egypt, terrorist cells, mosques and other munitions storehouses, homes of top terrorist leaders, Kassam manufacturing sites, and Hamas military installations.
Though it was originally estimated that Hamas might fire some 250 rockets a day at Israel, it has in fact fired slightly less than 600 in the nearly three weeks of war – a daily average of fewer than 30. Nearly 80 of the rockets were fired at distances of more than 40 kilometers (25 miles).
Thirteen Israelis have been killed in the fighting, including three civilians. Nine soldiers were killed during the ground offensive, which began two weeks ago, and the others were felled by Hamas rockets and shells fired into Israel.
In the first week of fighting alone, some 400 trucks carrying more than 6,500 tons of food, medicine and medical supplies crossed into Gaza from Israel. Ten ambulances have been transferred to Gaza, 12 injured Gazans were treated in Israeli hospitals, and 226 foreign citizens have been allowed out of Gaza, at the request of their governments.
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by Hillel Fendel
Tomorrow, Saturday, will mark three weeks since the beginning of the war in Gaza, currently known as Operation Cast Lead. Though it is hard to give a geo-political interim appraisal, the numbers thus far tell their own story.
The Israel Air Force has bombed a total of some 1,200 targets in Gaza, including more than 300 in the past week. Among them are tunnels under the Philadelphi Route between southern Gaza and Egypt, terrorist cells, mosques and other munitions storehouses, homes of top terrorist leaders, Kassam manufacturing sites, and Hamas military installations.
Though it was originally estimated that Hamas might fire some 250 rockets a day at Israel, it has in fact fired slightly less than 600 in the nearly three weeks of war – a daily average of fewer than 30. Nearly 80 of the rockets were fired at distances of more than 40 kilometers (25 miles).
Thirteen Israelis have been killed in the fighting, including three civilians. Nine soldiers were killed during the ground offensive, which began two weeks ago, and the others were felled by Hamas rockets and shells fired into Israel.
In the first week of fighting alone, some 400 trucks carrying more than 6,500 tons of food, medicine and medical supplies crossed into Gaza from Israel. Ten ambulances have been transferred to Gaza, 12 injured Gazans were treated in Israeli hospitals, and 226 foreign citizens have been allowed out of Gaza, at the request of their governments.
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3. High Court: Mistakes Happen
by Maayana Miskin
High Court Justices Asher Grunis, Elyakim Rubenstein and Dorit Beinisch held a hearing Thursday on a complaint filed by various activist groups against the Cast Lead operation. The justices rejected many of the plaintiffs' claims, saying civilian casualties in Gaza are not proof that the IDF targets civilians.
The plaintiffs accused the IDF of targeting the water and electric systems in Gaza, of firing on ambulances and of forbidding the treatment of Arabs wounded in battle. A representative of the Gisha organization also accused the IDF of firing on United Nations buildings.
Justice Grunis told the groups that such incidents were to be expected. “If our troops can accidentally fire on our troops, it means mistakes can happen in war,” he said, referring to recent incidents in which IDF soldiers were killed or wounded by their fellow troops in the heat of battle.
Rubenstein pointed out that armed terrorists sometimes fight from within ambulances or UN buildings. “The state of Israel and the IDF would have to be crazy to intentionally fire on ambulances or medical crews. The fire was apparently an accident, or they took place when the IDF saw armed men in the ambulances or the international buildings,” he said.
Beinisch joined her colleagues, saying, “The situation is complicated.” Conditions do not always allow Israel to transfer fuel or provide other aid, she said.
State attorneys argued that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 had changed matters. “There's no doubt that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is not simple, and the civilian population is suffering, but the situation is complicated because unlike in the past, we're outside of Gaza and we don't control it,” one explained.
IDF soldiers may have fired on buildings used by the UN and the Red Cross, they added, but only after coming under terrorist fire from those locations.
Beinisch, Rubenstein and Grunis ordered the state to file an official reply to the rights groups' specific complaints within four days.
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by Maayana Miskin
High Court Justices Asher Grunis, Elyakim Rubenstein and Dorit Beinisch held a hearing Thursday on a complaint filed by various activist groups against the Cast Lead operation. The justices rejected many of the plaintiffs' claims, saying civilian casualties in Gaza are not proof that the IDF targets civilians.
The plaintiffs accused the IDF of targeting the water and electric systems in Gaza, of firing on ambulances and of forbidding the treatment of Arabs wounded in battle. A representative of the Gisha organization also accused the IDF of firing on United Nations buildings.
Justice Grunis told the groups that such incidents were to be expected. “If our troops can accidentally fire on our troops, it means mistakes can happen in war,” he said, referring to recent incidents in which IDF soldiers were killed or wounded by their fellow troops in the heat of battle.
Rubenstein pointed out that armed terrorists sometimes fight from within ambulances or UN buildings. “The state of Israel and the IDF would have to be crazy to intentionally fire on ambulances or medical crews. The fire was apparently an accident, or they took place when the IDF saw armed men in the ambulances or the international buildings,” he said.
Beinisch joined her colleagues, saying, “The situation is complicated.” Conditions do not always allow Israel to transfer fuel or provide other aid, she said.
State attorneys argued that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 had changed matters. “There's no doubt that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is not simple, and the civilian population is suffering, but the situation is complicated because unlike in the past, we're outside of Gaza and we don't control it,” one explained.
IDF soldiers may have fired on buildings used by the UN and the Red Cross, they added, but only after coming under terrorist fire from those locations.
Beinisch, Rubenstein and Grunis ordered the state to file an official reply to the rights groups' specific complaints within four days.
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4. IAF Pounds Hamas; 40 Targets Hit
by Maayana Miskin
IAF pilots hit approximately 40 targets in Gaza on Thursday night and early Friday morning. Targets included three weapons warehouses, two Hamas outposts, four tunnels and six groups of armed terrorists.
The Air Force also worked with ground troops, providing backup when needed. Ground troops have coordinated several airstrikes on terrorist cells since entering Gaza almost two weeks ago.
In one such incident Thursday night, IDF foot soldiers saw a group of terrorists fire a mortar shell towards Israeli territory. The soldiers contacted the IAF and an IAF pilot hit the launch site. A direct strike was reported.
The Navy took part in fighting Hamas as well. Ships fired on Hamas targets along the coast. The Navy continues to enforce a closure along the Gaza coast. The closure was imposed due to fears that terrorists would pose as fishermen and sail north to attack Israeli cities.
In addition to coordinating IAF strikes, ground troops continued exchanging fire with terrorists and searching homes for weapons and tunnels. Troops arrested seven Gaza residents, who were turned over to security services for questioning. Hundreds of Gaza Arabs have been arrested since fighting began.
Acting Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have decided that the Cast Lead operation in Gaza will continue Friday despite ceasefire talks. The operation will be suspended from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza civilians.
by Maayana Miskin
IAF pilots hit approximately 40 targets in Gaza on Thursday night and early Friday morning. Targets included three weapons warehouses, two Hamas outposts, four tunnels and six groups of armed terrorists.
The Air Force also worked with ground troops, providing backup when needed. Ground troops have coordinated several airstrikes on terrorist cells since entering Gaza almost two weeks ago.
In one such incident Thursday night, IDF foot soldiers saw a group of terrorists fire a mortar shell towards Israeli territory. The soldiers contacted the IAF and an IAF pilot hit the launch site. A direct strike was reported.
The Navy took part in fighting Hamas as well. Ships fired on Hamas targets along the coast. The Navy continues to enforce a closure along the Gaza coast. The closure was imposed due to fears that terrorists would pose as fishermen and sail north to attack Israeli cities.
In addition to coordinating IAF strikes, ground troops continued exchanging fire with terrorists and searching homes for weapons and tunnels. Troops arrested seven Gaza residents, who were turned over to security services for questioning. Hundreds of Gaza Arabs have been arrested since fighting began.
Acting Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have decided that the Cast Lead operation in Gaza will continue Friday despite ceasefire talks. The operation will be suspended from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza civilians.
5. UN Judge in Kosovo Frees Israeli
by Hillel Fendel
A United Nations judge in Kosovo proffers veiled criticism of Israel’s treatment of its citizens in distress.
The story involves the arrest or detention of four Israelis in Kosovo on charges of participating in the sale of a kidney from a live donor to an elderly dialysis patient. The transplant operation succeeded, but the recipient of the kidney, his wife, his son and the man who mediated the sale were all taken into police custody.
Attorney Mordechai Tzivin, who specializes in helping Israelis in various legal troubles in foreign countries, agreed to take on the case. “We were able to get the parents released after only two weeks,” Tzivin told IsraelNationalNews, “but their son and the middleman, Moshe Harel, were originally not set free. In general, it is a crime to purchase organs from live donors, but invariably, the recipient and the donor are not punished very harshly, if at all. Rather, the mediators of the sale receive the full brunt. That’s what happened here as well.”
The operation was performed by a famous Turkish doctor who is wanted by the Interpol for having carried out this operation many times before. The patient, 75-year-old Betzalel Shafran from Ashdod, was hospitalized in the clinic – which, Tzivin says, “received its forged license from the former Deputy Health Minister of Kosovo.” Three days later, police raided the place and arrested the four. The doctor was not around to be arrested.
Thanks to the Israeli Embassy in nearby Belgrade, the patient spent the next 11 days under guard in a hospital, until his release to Israel in mid-November. But Tzivin still faced the challenge of helping their son and Harel. The results can be read in the rulings of the United Nations pre-trial judge, named Vinod Boolell, who heard the request for their early release. Regarding the son: “Having considered the request of the Defense Counsel, the Pre-trial Judge takes the view that the defendant should be exceptionally allowed to visit his ailing father, as he has always complied with the order made and there does not appear to be a risk of him absconding.”
Judge Voolell noted that the defendant had stated that he had expected the Israeli Foreign Office to show an interest in his case, but that this was not done. The judge quoted Attorney Tzivin as having said, “I [contac the Legal Department of the Foreign Office in [the defendant’ name ten times... [He al personally contacted [the and the Embassy in Belgrade several times, but did not receive any response.”
Regarding this, Judge Voolell wrote: “Though it is not the function of the Pre-trial Judge to pass any comment on the Foreign Office or any embassy of Israel, nonetheless the Pre-trial Judge finds it odd that Israel did not respond to the query of the defendant.”Regarding the case of Moshe Har’el, Judge Voolell accepted Tzivin’s argument that religious mourning rituals are important: "The Pre-trial Judge is mindful of the personal situation of the defendant, who invokes the fact that his mother passed away on 9 November 2008 and that he has to attend some religious rituals in that connection. The Pre-trial Judge considers that this is a humanitarian consideration that should weigh heavily in favor of granting the authorization.”Yeshiva Boys in Japan
Attorney Tzivin, of Kfar Chabad, is currently the legal counsel for young yeshiva boys imprisoned in Japan for having brought in a suitcase they said they thought was filled with books, but which really contained narcotic pills.
Though Tzivin is gratified that the Kosovo case has taken a positive turn – the four Israelis have been released, despite the legal complexities of Kosovo’s legal system - it is far from over, and both the son and Har’el are expected to return to Kosovo at the end of this month.
If the two Israelis do not return, Tzivin was asked, what would be the next step? Tzivin noted that Kosovo does not have an extradition treaty with Israel – “or with any country in the world, for that matter” -- but that the Israelis' fate "would depend on whether they are found to be in violation of Kosovo’s law, or of international law. That depends on the status ascribed to the UN judges who now arbitrate various issues in the entity of Kosovo.”
Tzivin Accuses the Foreign Ministry
Attorney Tzivin is miffed at the Legal Department of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, saying it both lied and did not offer help when necessary.
“Not only did the Foreign Ministry not make an official request to the relevant authorities, as it was expected to do, but it also lied on at least two occasions in this case,” he said.
Tzvi Rebner, who heads the Foreign Ministry’s Eastern Europe Department, denied the charges, and stated in response that his office had intervened in the humanitarian aspects, “but in the judicial issues, we gave the appropriate response.”
Tzivin says that Israel need not intervene in other countries’ internal or judicial affairs, “but this is not true in the case of danger to life or other humanitarian issues, such as was the case here.”
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by Hillel Fendel
A United Nations judge in Kosovo proffers veiled criticism of Israel’s treatment of its citizens in distress.
The story involves the arrest or detention of four Israelis in Kosovo on charges of participating in the sale of a kidney from a live donor to an elderly dialysis patient. The transplant operation succeeded, but the recipient of the kidney, his wife, his son and the man who mediated the sale were all taken into police custody.
Attorney Mordechai Tzivin, who specializes in helping Israelis in various legal troubles in foreign countries, agreed to take on the case. “We were able to get the parents released after only two weeks,” Tzivin told IsraelNationalNews, “but their son and the middleman, Moshe Harel, were originally not set free. In general, it is a crime to purchase organs from live donors, but invariably, the recipient and the donor are not punished very harshly, if at all. Rather, the mediators of the sale receive the full brunt. That’s what happened here as well.”
The operation was performed by a famous Turkish doctor who is wanted by the Interpol for having carried out this operation many times before. The patient, 75-year-old Betzalel Shafran from Ashdod, was hospitalized in the clinic – which, Tzivin says, “received its forged license from the former Deputy Health Minister of Kosovo.” Three days later, police raided the place and arrested the four. The doctor was not around to be arrested.
Thanks to the Israeli Embassy in nearby Belgrade, the patient spent the next 11 days under guard in a hospital, until his release to Israel in mid-November. But Tzivin still faced the challenge of helping their son and Harel. The results can be read in the rulings of the United Nations pre-trial judge, named Vinod Boolell, who heard the request for their early release. Regarding the son: “Having considered the request of the Defense Counsel, the Pre-trial Judge takes the view that the defendant should be exceptionally allowed to visit his ailing father, as he has always complied with the order made and there does not appear to be a risk of him absconding.”
Judge Voolell noted that the defendant had stated that he had expected the Israeli Foreign Office to show an interest in his case, but that this was not done. The judge quoted Attorney Tzivin as having said, “I [contac the Legal Department of the Foreign Office in [the defendant’ name ten times... [He al personally contacted [the and the Embassy in Belgrade several times, but did not receive any response.”
Regarding this, Judge Voolell wrote: “Though it is not the function of the Pre-trial Judge to pass any comment on the Foreign Office or any embassy of Israel, nonetheless the Pre-trial Judge finds it odd that Israel did not respond to the query of the defendant.”Regarding the case of Moshe Har’el, Judge Voolell accepted Tzivin’s argument that religious mourning rituals are important: "The Pre-trial Judge is mindful of the personal situation of the defendant, who invokes the fact that his mother passed away on 9 November 2008 and that he has to attend some religious rituals in that connection. The Pre-trial Judge considers that this is a humanitarian consideration that should weigh heavily in favor of granting the authorization.”Yeshiva Boys in Japan
Attorney Tzivin, of Kfar Chabad, is currently the legal counsel for young yeshiva boys imprisoned in Japan for having brought in a suitcase they said they thought was filled with books, but which really contained narcotic pills.
Though Tzivin is gratified that the Kosovo case has taken a positive turn – the four Israelis have been released, despite the legal complexities of Kosovo’s legal system - it is far from over, and both the son and Har’el are expected to return to Kosovo at the end of this month.
If the two Israelis do not return, Tzivin was asked, what would be the next step? Tzivin noted that Kosovo does not have an extradition treaty with Israel – “or with any country in the world, for that matter” -- but that the Israelis' fate "would depend on whether they are found to be in violation of Kosovo’s law, or of international law. That depends on the status ascribed to the UN judges who now arbitrate various issues in the entity of Kosovo.”
Tzivin Accuses the Foreign Ministry
Attorney Tzivin is miffed at the Legal Department of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, saying it both lied and did not offer help when necessary.
“Not only did the Foreign Ministry not make an official request to the relevant authorities, as it was expected to do, but it also lied on at least two occasions in this case,” he said.
Tzvi Rebner, who heads the Foreign Ministry’s Eastern Europe Department, denied the charges, and stated in response that his office had intervened in the humanitarian aspects, “but in the judicial issues, we gave the appropriate response.”
Tzivin says that Israel need not intervene in other countries’ internal or judicial affairs, “but this is not true in the case of danger to life or other humanitarian issues, such as was the case here.”
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6. 6 Wounded in Missile Attack
by Maayana Miskin
A seven-year-old boy was seriously wounded Thursday evening when a Grad missile fired by Gaza terrorists struck the city of Be'er Sheva. Two Grad missiles hit the city at approximately 5:00 p.m. One slammed into a residential area adjacent to a main highway and hit a car.
The vehicle had stopped on the highway when the rocket warning siren sounded, as directed by Home Front Command in its instructions to the public. The passengers, a mother and her son, managed to exit the vehicle and lie on their stomachs, per the instructions.
The mother lay on top of her son to protect him, but was unable to cover him completely. A shard from the missile penetrated his skull. He was rushed to Soroka hospital in serious condition.
The child's aunt spoke to reporters from the hospital, saying, “They waited for this child for 11 years. All we want is for G-d to give him back to us.”
Five others were wounded as well, one seriously. One person was moderately wounded and the others suffered light injuries. A number of other people suffered severe emotional trauma. All were evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in the city. Hospital officials set up an information hotline at: 12-55-177.
"The ground shook -- and one of them echoed -- so I knew it was in an urban area, somewhere close," Be'er Sheva resident Yocheved Miriam Russo told Israel National News. "It had been relatively quiet -- there had not been anything since yesterday about this time," she commented.
"I'm just praying for NO ceasefire," Russo added. "We can deal with this -- but not a phony ceasefire."
Shortly before the Be'er Sheva attack terrorists fired on the Eshkol region. The rockets hit open areas and no injuries were reported. Earlier on Thursday afternoon rocket strikes were reported in the Ofakim region. No injuries were reported.
Gaza terrorists fired a total of approximately 25 rockets at Israeli cities since Thursday morning. Rockets hit several cities, including Gadera and Sderot. Strikes damaged a home in Sderot and several cars.
Security officials in Be'er Sheva warned civilians not to approach the area. Anyone who hears a rocket alert siren while traveling by car should stop at the side of the road, exit the vehicle, lie down at a distance from the vehicle and wait for five minutes, after which they are instructed to get in the car and proceed directly to their destination without delay.
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by Maayana Miskin
A seven-year-old boy was seriously wounded Thursday evening when a Grad missile fired by Gaza terrorists struck the city of Be'er Sheva. Two Grad missiles hit the city at approximately 5:00 p.m. One slammed into a residential area adjacent to a main highway and hit a car.
The vehicle had stopped on the highway when the rocket warning siren sounded, as directed by Home Front Command in its instructions to the public. The passengers, a mother and her son, managed to exit the vehicle and lie on their stomachs, per the instructions.
The mother lay on top of her son to protect him, but was unable to cover him completely. A shard from the missile penetrated his skull. He was rushed to Soroka hospital in serious condition.
The child's aunt spoke to reporters from the hospital, saying, “They waited for this child for 11 years. All we want is for G-d to give him back to us.”
Five others were wounded as well, one seriously. One person was moderately wounded and the others suffered light injuries. A number of other people suffered severe emotional trauma. All were evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in the city. Hospital officials set up an information hotline at: 12-55-177.
"The ground shook -- and one of them echoed -- so I knew it was in an urban area, somewhere close," Be'er Sheva resident Yocheved Miriam Russo told Israel National News. "It had been relatively quiet -- there had not been anything since yesterday about this time," she commented.
"I'm just praying for NO ceasefire," Russo added. "We can deal with this -- but not a phony ceasefire."
Shortly before the Be'er Sheva attack terrorists fired on the Eshkol region. The rockets hit open areas and no injuries were reported. Earlier on Thursday afternoon rocket strikes were reported in the Ofakim region. No injuries were reported.
Gaza terrorists fired a total of approximately 25 rockets at Israeli cities since Thursday morning. Rockets hit several cities, including Gadera and Sderot. Strikes damaged a home in Sderot and several cars.
Security officials in Be'er Sheva warned civilians not to approach the area. Anyone who hears a rocket alert siren while traveling by car should stop at the side of the road, exit the vehicle, lie down at a distance from the vehicle and wait for five minutes, after which they are instructed to get in the car and proceed directly to their destination without delay.
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7. Bush Wants Truce Before Jan. 20
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
United States President George W. Bush is trying to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza as a crowning achievement before leaving office January 20, the Associated Press has reported. A truce would diminish Bush's failure to reach an agreement with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to create a new Arab country within Israel's current borders.
"We are discussing with the Israelis and others what we can do to bolster the possibilities of getting to the durable cease-fire that we are all seeking," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters. "There are several elements to that and we are working with regional partners and also with the Israelis."
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is en route to Washington to secure American guarantees and technical support aimed at stopping the arms smuggling from Egypt into Israel.
A similar agreement three years ago, after Israel expelled all Jews from the Gaza region and turned over their destroyed communities to the Palestinian Authority, left the border between Gaza and Egypt virtually unguarded despite Egyptian guarantees to protect Israel from the stockpiling of weapons by Hamas.
Giora Eiland, former head of the National Security Council, said Thursday that smuggling will continue despite technology and supervision at the border. He aid the only way to hermetically close off the smuggling route is for Egypt to establish a security zone in which no one is allowed.
The ceasefire agreement that is evolving would leave Hamas in possession of at least several hundred rockets, several of which can reach major population centers in southern Israel.
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
United States President George W. Bush is trying to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza as a crowning achievement before leaving office January 20, the Associated Press has reported. A truce would diminish Bush's failure to reach an agreement with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to create a new Arab country within Israel's current borders.
"We are discussing with the Israelis and others what we can do to bolster the possibilities of getting to the durable cease-fire that we are all seeking," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters. "There are several elements to that and we are working with regional partners and also with the Israelis."
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is en route to Washington to secure American guarantees and technical support aimed at stopping the arms smuggling from Egypt into Israel.
A similar agreement three years ago, after Israel expelled all Jews from the Gaza region and turned over their destroyed communities to the Palestinian Authority, left the border between Gaza and Egypt virtually unguarded despite Egyptian guarantees to protect Israel from the stockpiling of weapons by Hamas.
Giora Eiland, former head of the National Security Council, said Thursday that smuggling will continue despite technology and supervision at the border. He aid the only way to hermetically close off the smuggling route is for Egypt to establish a security zone in which no one is allowed.
The ceasefire agreement that is evolving would leave Hamas in possession of at least several hundred rockets, several of which can reach major population centers in southern Israel.
Comment on this story
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