Israeli diplomacy and the Gaza campaign
An excellent account of the complex Israeli diplomacy surrounding the military campaign in Gaza:
Haaretz - 15:00 23/01/2009
Israel's multi-faceted Gaza cease-fire
By Aluf Benn
Quote:
The political goals of Operation Cast Lead were not formulated until a few days after the fighting in Gaza began. Heading the list was a "stable cease-fire," centering around an effort to prevent arms smuggling into the Strip. The logic was that the Israel Defense Forces operation would damage Hamas' military capabilities, and that putting an end to the arms buildup would prevent renewed rocket fire into Israel. Senior policy-makers, whose decisions were instrumental in shaping the war in Gaza, say Israel succeeded in placing the smuggling issue on the international agenda after years in which it has been shunted to the sidelines. Now Israel has secured a commitment from the United States, Europe and Egypt to act against an arms buildup in Gaza.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak sought an "arrangement" via Egyptian mediation, which would be more stable than the previous tahadiyeh (cease-fire) agreement with Hamas. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni opposed a deal that would legitimize Hamas and proposed ending the operation with an act of "deterrence": a unilateral cease-fire that would allow Israel to resort to force again if hostilities from Gaza were renewed. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was against a settlement with Hamas - even one achieved by indirect means - but strove to reach an understanding with the international community.
IDF provides Hamas with 7,000 kgs of explosives
Explosives haul missing in Gaza
BBC, 17 February 2009
Quote:
Israeli aircraft dropped hundreds of tons of explosives on Gaza, not all of which exploded
A large stockpile of unexploded weapons has disappeared in Gaza, before United Nations experts were able to dispose of it safely, the BBC has learned.
Israel has accused Hamas of taking the stockpile, which was under Hamas guard....
Two weeks ago, on 2 February, the UN team was given access to a storage site in Gaza City where more than 7,000kg of explosives was being housed.
UXO have long been an important source of explosives for groups in Gaza (usually landmines from 1948-67, although in some cases even WWII and WWI stock). I imagine the "7,000 kg" refers to the gross weight of the UXO, not the amount of usable/extractable explosives.
Amnesty War Crimes report - Gaza 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/h...09_amnesty.pdf
BBC coverage
Israel-Hamas arms embargo urged
Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli strike over a UN school in Beit Lahia, 17/01
Israel has denied allegations of illegal use of white phosphorus rounds
Amnesty International has called for a freeze on arms sales to Israel and Palestinian groups such as Hamas following the recent Gaza conflict.
The human rights group said it had evidence both Israel and Hamas had used weapons sourced from overseas to carry out attacks on civilians.
full story http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7904929.stm
This T-shirt goes over my line ...
Quote:
from Ub
Joe is Joe, no matter what army he is in.
Agreed - and I am not offended by such as "mess with the best, die like the rest". Nor, by folks chanting "I'm a natural-born killer", even though only true for a few.
This one explicitly gets into intentional killing of innocents - no suicide vest in sight ("1 shot, 2 kills"). Admittedly, I was most disturbed by a probably Jewish soldier wearing it - who knows, maybe the guy is an atheist (denial on my part). I'm reminded of a long-ago CO militia cav colonel - "nits grow into lice." Some Joes go beyond the rest of the Joes.
PS: Been slogging thru the many comments at Ha'aretz. One notes that she has a rifle (held in left hand, raised over left shoulder) - that is so; an armed combatant, albeit very pregnant - which may be a rationalization on my part for some justification. Need Dr Levy on that one.
Just a brief thought on T-shirts ...
The IDF issued a statement on the T-shirts.
Quote:
Last update - 15:00 23/03/2009
IDF: Soldiers' anti-Palestinian T-Shirts are 'tasteless'
By The Associated Press
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday condemned T-shirts worn by soldiers that depict scenes of violence against Palestinians as the army faces increasing domestic criticism over its conduct during the recent offensive in the Gaza Strip.
.....
One depicts a child in the cross-hairs of a rifle with the slogan, "The smaller they are, the harder it is," said one of T-shirts. Another shows a pregnant woman in the cross-hairs and the words "1 Shot 2 Kills".
....
"The shirts are not in accordance with IDF values and are simply tasteless," the army said in a statement. "This type of humor is unbecoming and should be condemned."
When I first looked at the photo, I saw the caption and only a pregnant woman. I overlooked the rifle in her left hand - as did all but one of the 160+ who commented on Ha'aretz the day its story ran (as noted in my PS).
It is possible that the T-shirts were an attempt at black humor or even hate. It is also possible (since I'm not in the mind of the cartoonist) that they were a statement about the nature of the war that confronted the sniper. A war where pregnant women are armed combatants - and children are armed with grenades.
Putting oneself in the shoes of the sniper and his actual sight picture (an armed combatant) leads (possibly) to a different conclusion as to what was really meant by the cartoon. So, an over-reaction on my part due to overlooking a key fact.
The story will go on - not as to T-shirts; but as to the UN report and the statements of some IDF soldiers.
Breakdown of "Civilian" Casualties
IDF report on Civilian Casualties here
I fully realise it makes no difference as the anti-Israel players will dismiss it, as a fabrication.
Welcome to the Middle East!
Hamas crushes Jund Ansar Allah
Ha'aretz - 23:04 15/08/2009
Hamas: Head of Al-Qaida affiliate killed in Gaza
By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent, and Agencies
Quote:
Hamas crushed an al-Qaida-inspired group in an hours-long standoff that came to a fiery end when a large explosion killed the radical Muslim group's leader inside his Gaza home on Saturday.
The fighting was sparked by a rebellious sermon by the group's leader, and his dramatic death put an end to the greatest internal challenge to Hamas' rule since it took control of Gaza two years ago.
In all, the fighting claimed 24 lives - including that of a senior Hamas official who Israel says masterminded the abduction of Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit. It was the highest death toll in the territory since the Israel-Hamas war earlier this year.
The crackdown targeted Jund Ansar Allah, or the "Soldiers of the Companions of God," one of a number of small, shadowy groups that are even more radical than Hamas. The decisive confrontation, in which 95 group members were arrested, solidified Hamas' iron rule in Gaza.
New Yorker's article on Gaza
There is an excellent article by famous terror expert Lawrence Wright this week in the New Yorker magazine about Gaza.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...urrentPage=all