Last update - 01:08 01/07/2008    


Israel closes Gaza border crossings once again in wake of Qassam  

By Fadi Eyadat and Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondents and Reuters  

The defense establishment decided late Monday to close the border crossings between Israel and Gaza after Palestinian gunmen fired a Qassam rocket into the western Negev Monday afternoon in violation of a cease fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Two early warning "Color Red" sirens were heard in the Sha'ar Hanegev area and a rocket struck an open field shortly after. No injuries or damage were reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for what was the fourth such attack since the Egypt-brokered truce went into effect on June 19.

On Sunday, Israel reopened three of its border crossings with the Gaza Strip after cross-border rocket fire stopped.

Israel had shut the crossings on June 25 after an Islamic Jihad rocket salvo which the Palestinian faction said was in retaliation for Israel's killing of one of its leaders in the West Bank.

Other Gaza militants have also fired a rocket and two mortar bombs in two separate incidents.

The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire requires militant groups to halt rocket fire in return for Israel gradually easing its blockade of the impoverished territory.

Israel sharply cut back the supply of goods into the Gaza Strip a year ago, after the Islamic militant group Hamas took over the territory from forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas's more secular Fatah faction.


I'd never open the borders to those thugs, they should go ask their Arab mates.

Lestat wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 3:18pm:


No Lestat. If you read what I actually posted, you would see that I merely asked you to quote the passage you claimed to have already posted that supports this claim. I notice you were unable to do so. I also checked the first link you supplied as evidence. It directly contradicted you.

No wonder I have to ask Lestat to back the claims he makes.

Lestat

Were you a visionary negotiator for the Palestinian people, what vision would you have for them? Do you believe there is any viability in pursuing the goal of Israel's destruction? If so, how would you propose to curb Israel's increasingly catastrophic reprisals while Hamas continues its armed harassment of the state?

Would you accept a two state solution?

Instead of a two state solution, could you imagine the possibility of a Republic of Israel-Palestine?

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 5:53pm:


To live in peace and safety, with the ability to determine their own futures...just like the rest of us Helian.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 5:53pm:


In comparison to doing nothing, dieing and suffering in silence.
Absolutely.

Fact is helian, Israel should never have been created in the first place, especially in Palestine, a land which was already occupied by people, who had lived on the land for 1300 years.

Israel will be destroyed. It is inevitable, the Palestinian population growth will ensure this. Israel know this, they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They cannot annex the occupied territories because this will result in jews being a minority within Israel in less then 50 years. Yet they do not want to give up the occupied territories, as deep down, they feel that the westbank is a part of Greater Eretz...

So their strategy is to ensure that protacted negotiations go on forever, keep a perpetual state of war in tact, and keep the Palestinian population in check with oppression, and suffering. They are hoping that things get so bad for the Palestinians that they leave, and if they don't, they will be killed. In this way they keep the numbers down.

It isn't a coincidence that the majority of Israeli victims are woman and children. And the numerous reports of Israeli's refusing pregnant women passage through checkpoints, whilst they are in labour, is evidence of this policy.

Peace will destroy Israel...and they know this.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 5:53pm:


But thats just it, Israels reprisals aren't 'catastrophically increasing' at all. Its just that you and most in the west have very short memories.

Have you already forgotten Bait Jenin. These Israeli massacres are quite a regular occurance. Like I said, its their way of keeping the Palestinian numbers down.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 5:53pm:


No I wouldn't, especially the one that Israe/US is proposing. A state where Israel controls the borders, no military, and no control of its air space. A state scattered with Israeli settlements, and a great wall cutting right through its territory. Who in their right mind would accept such a state.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 5:53pm:


I would support a one state solution, but their is absolutely no way Israel would accept this, for the reasons I have described before.

Aparthied policies are the only way Israel can survive, and they know this. Even amongst Israels arab population..it is envisaged that within 60 years arabs will make up 40% of Israel's population.

Israel is petrified of losing its jewish identity, however, it is inevitable, Palestinian demographics makes it certain.

Now I've answered your questions...would you care to answer some of mine?

freediver wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 3:39pm:


Reply #47.

Oh, and tell me once again how the link I provided directly contradicted me?

And you still have failed to answer my question...do you honestly believe that the Israeli blockage of Gaza was not starving the Palestinians.

A simple yes or no will suffice.

locutius wrote on Jan 21^st, 2009 at 4:42pm:


The PA were unable to stop all the rockets, even Israel with all their might when they occupied Gaza could not stop all the rockets. This is what happens when people live under oppression and persecution for 60 years. They lose hope.

Don't underestimate the psychological scarring that occurs Palestinian children are continuously abused by IDF soldiers..those that are lucky enough not to be killed that is.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-0bdbA2Ka3Bo/palestinian_children_beaten_by_isra...
These children go up to be adults. This behaviour is what contributes to the Palestinians hate...not what Hamas teaches them.

Hamas came down hard on many splinter groups, and stopped many attacks. Yes some got through, however, the fact remains that from day one Israel were in breach, as they never lifted the blockage.