Several people have reportedly died in a series of attacks in southern Israel. Reports are currently emerging from Israel that a number of people have died and 'at least 15' injured following a series of shootings on buses, mortar attacks and a car bomb in southern Israel. Ha'aretz reports that the first shots were fired from a vehicle pursuing a bus travelling from Beersheva to Eilat, close to the Netafim border crossing with Egypt. The Israeli news source describes the events that followed: 'Shortly after the bus attack, IDF forces engaged in a shootout with the armed men near the scene of incident. Moreover, a second shooting attack took place in which five people were seriously wounded. In addition to the shooting attacks, mortars were fired from the Egyptian border and a bomb was set off on an Israeli army vehicle.' Ynet cites '[d]efense establishment sources' claiming that the gunfire 'originated from the Egyptian side of the border' and that 'Egyptian security forces have been alerted and are reportedly conducting a simultaneous manhunt'. Thurs. 18 Aug. 2011 @ 14.08 - Multiple attacks near Egyptian border come following recent reports of drastic collapse in Sinai security, including allegations of involvement by militants from Gaza. The breaking news that there have been multiple attacks on Israelis near the border with Egypt comes after the Egyptian authorities recently began a major attempt to reassert control over the Sinai region. The attacks are reported to have included the use of small arms, roadside bombs and mortar fire, suggesting the involvement of trained militants. This is in keeping with reports of recent violence in Sinai, with allegations of involvement by Palestinians from Gaza. The Egyptian news source Al Masry Al Youm has covered the developments in Sinai extensively. While it is common knowledge that the border between Gaza and Egypt has become increasingly porous since the fall of the Mubarak regime, the relative absence of national control of the region was highlighted on 29 July, when approximately 100 armed men drove into the town of Arish and attacked the local police station. The clash left an army officer and three civilians dead. Ever since the attack, thousands of Egyptian soldiers and police have moved into the area in order to combat the state of lawlessness. There were reports of Al Qaeda-affiliated groups operating in Sinai, with one such group releasing a statement calling for: '..the establishment of an Islamic emirate in Sinai, for Sharia to be the only source of legislation, and for the armed forces to scrap Egypt's peace agreement with Israel.' Tues. 16 Aug. 2011 @ 13.45 - Coverage of air strikes into Gaza does not clarify that Israel specifically hit military targets, nor mentions that casualty is confirmed Hamas member. In response to several rockets that were fired at the Israeli town of Beersheva, Israel last night struck several targets in Gaza. According to Haaretz, Hamas medical sources confirmed that a group of gunmen had been hit, resulting in one casualty and several injuries: 'Hamas sources said three gunmen involved in firing rockets at Israel were hit in the first air strike, east of Gaza City. One of the gunmen later died of his injuries, they said.' The Reuters news service also reported on the death: 'Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday killed one gunman and wounded five other Palestinians, medical sources said, after militants in the Hamas-controlled territory fired rockets into southern Israel.' Mon. 15 Aug. 2011 @ 14.05 - UNRWA watchdog group launched in Gaza as UN aid organisation suspends activities in Jenin citing 'atmosphere of threats and intimidation'; separately, US condemns Hamas interference and harassment of NGOs. Ma'an News Agency reported on Saturday the formation of a Gaza-based watchdog 'UNRWA Watch', tasked with 'observing the performance of the Palestine refugee agency with the hope of guaranteeing refugee rights.' ''UNRWA Watch' looks to improve refugee agency' mentions the recent pressure on the UN agency: 'UNRWA has defended itself against a series of complaints and accusations in recent months, as staff joined strikes and the heads of the West Bank and Gaza Strip divisions resigned early this year.' Just Journalism covered last month how protests against cuts in UNRWA's services have gone unreported in the British media. 
August 18, 2011 The Wire Breaking news: 'Co-ordinated' attacks in southern Israel leave 'several dead'
Thurs. 18 Aug. 2011 @ 13.03 -The Wire Multiple attacks highlight deterioration of Egyptian security
BBC Focus BBC fails to clarify Gaza air strikes targeted militants
The Wire NGOs under pressure in Gaza and West Bank
Thursday, 18 August 2011
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