World News Blog

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Hamas declares ceasefire, Israel to pull out

Hamas today announced an immediate ceasefire in Gaza giving Israel a week to pull out its troops.

At the same time, Israel has reported that it plans to



USA TodayEgypt to host Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks
Deutsche Welle, Germany - Jan 8, 2009
The latest round of fighting in Gaza broke out after an Egyptian-brokered, six-month-long ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ended on December 19. ...
Video: UN Security Council Calls for Gaza Cease-fire AssociatedPress


UN Security Council Resolution On Israel-Hamas Ceasefire "Deeply ... Anti-Defamation League (press release)
Israeli PM reiterates conditions for ceasefire Xinhua


ABC NewsGaza truce, Israeli pullout begin
WTTE, OH - 42 minutes ago
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers have been rumbling back into Israel, as a ceasefire begins in Gaza. ...

Israeli Army Begins Gradual Gaza Pullout, Hamas Declares Truce Bloomberg
Israel: premature to set timetable for Gaza pullout Reuters



ABC News
Full text: Hamas ceasefire statement
BBC News, UK - 3 hours ago
Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire by its fighters and other Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip. Here is his statement in full. ...
Hamas announces cease-fire, continues rocket fire Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Hamas announces ceasefire to give Israel a week to go Tehran Times

Labels: ceasefire, hamas, israel, troop pullout

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 1:39 PM 0 comments

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Olmert announces unilateral ceasefire in Gaza

Israel today announced a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel will halt its offensive in Gaza at 0000 GMT on Sunday but troops will remain and respond to Hamas fire.

Hamas however said it would continue fighting until Israeli troops left the enclave.

"If the Israeli military continues its existence in the Gaza Strip, that is a wide door for the resistance against the occupation forces," Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official in Lebanon told Al Jazeera.

Fawzi Barhum, a Hamas spokesman, said: "The Zionist enemy must stop all its aggression, completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip, lift the blockade, and open the crossings. We will not accept the presence of a single soldier in Gaza.

"The enemy's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire confirms that this is a unilateral war launched in one direction, from the enemy upon our people."

BBC News
Miliband welcomes Gaza ceasefire
BBC News, UK - 1 hour ago
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has welcomed Israel's decision to declare a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza. Describing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud ...
Egyptian President Calls for Immediate Gaza Cease-Fire Voice of America
Olmert announces Gaza ceasefire Aljazeera.net

Times Online

Israel Declares Cease Fire; Hamas Says It Will Fight On New York Times - 1 hour ago By STEVEN ERLANGER JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel announced late Saturday night that the Israeli military would begin a unilateral cease-fire in Gaza within hours while negotiations continued on how to stop the resupply of Hamas ... Video: Gaza-West Bank divide grows - 17 Jan 09 AlJazeeraEnglish Israel calls a halt to its assault on Gaza guardian.co.uk

Labels: ehud olmert, gaza crisis, hamas, israel, unilateral ceasefire

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 3:17 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 16, 2009

Israel to vote on unilateral ceasefire

Israel and Hamas appear closer to a truce, but the intensity of the fighting has not noticeably decreased.

Egypt is working closely with Hamas on truce conditions, while Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to call for a security cabinet vote Saturday on a unilateral ceasefire.

Times Online

Sound And Fury In Gaza Newsweek - 1 hour ago Muhammed Muheisen / AP By Rod Nordland | Newsweek Web Exclusive If Hamas is getting bombed into submission, it doesn't much show. Video: Israel Says Its Gaza Offensive Is Almost Over AssociatedPress Israel to Vote on Gaza Truce Voice of America

Labels: gaza crisis, hamas, israel, unilateral ceasefire

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 4:47 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 09, 2009

Israel and Hamas dismiss UN ceasefire call

Both Hamas and Israel have rejected a United Nations demand for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza on Friday.

UN urges immediate Gaza ceasefire (Press Assoc.)















WELT ONLINE

Fierce Fighting Erupts in Gaza Despite UN Call for Cease-fire
Voice of America - 4 hours ago
By VOA News Israeli and Hamas forces fought fierce battles in the Gaza Strip Friday, both sides defying a United Nations demand for an immediate cease-fire ...
Video: UN pushes for Gaza ceasefire RussiaToday
Israel and Hamas Rebuff UN Cease-Fire Call New York Times
UN keeps Gaza aid on hold pending cease-fire The Associated Press

Voice of America

30 Confirmed Dead in Shelling of Gaza Family New York Times - 2 hours ago By ALAN COWELL The death toll in the shelling of a family compound in Gaza rose to 30, the United Nations said in a report issued on Friday, as relief workers continued to comb through wreckage they had been denied access to for days after the attack. Israel kills 30 civilians at shelter, witnesses tell UN CNN Gaza survivors' four days without water BBC News

Labels: gaza invasion, hamas, israel, united nations cease-fire

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 1:08 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Invasion a risk for Israel

Israel took a big risk invading Gaza in that it faces a possibility of a failure similar to the Lebanon invasion when it faced off with Hezbollah.

To be sure, Hamas has never appeared as well-trained or well-equipped as Hezbollah. The latter group, trained and armed by Iran, has been successful against the vaunted Israeli defense forces before. Expectations may be lower for Hamas and even if the group just remains standing and defiant in Gaza, it may be perceived as a defeat for the Israeli army.

ABC News

For Israel, Lessons From 2006, but Old Pitfalls New York Times - 1 hour ago By STEVEN ERLANGER JERUSALEM - This time, Israeli military commanders are leading from the front, not trying to direct the infantry from television screens. Video: Israeli attack on Gaza school kills 30 RussiaToday Obama Breaks Silence, Vows To Work for Peace in Gaza Washington Post

Times Online

Fears mount of Gaza conflict spill over in Europe
The Associated Press - 9 hours ago
PARIS (AP) — Government officials and Jewish leaders are concerned the conflict in Gaza may spill over into violence in Europe, with attacks reported ...
Anti-Semitic acts up in UK due to Gaza crisis Ha'aretz
Gaza killing sparks attacks on Jews across Europe Telegraph.co.uk
Gaza op prompts wave of anti-Semitism in Belgium Ynetnews



Reuters

Israel defends Gaza offensive

Report
Jan 05, 2009

Labels: gaza invasion, israel

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 7:40 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Israel rejects cease-fire proposal

Israel today rejected a 48-hour ceasefire proposal from France amid increasing signs of a pending ground offensive in Gaza.

The Israelis appear intent on carrying out a pre-planned drive to root Hamas out of Gaza, and reports indicate that ground troops are building up along the border as air strikes continue. The timing of the operation appears planned to take advantage of the sensitive transition period in the United States with Barack Obama's inauguration coming in a few weeks.

Hamas fighters also continue to launch rockets into Israel taking advantage of early morning mist that degrades the capability of Israeli reconnaissance drones.

Protestors hold placards during a demonstration against the Israeli attacks on Gaza as the motorcade of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama drives past in Kailua, Hawaii December 30, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES)

Times Online

Israel Rejects 48-Hour Cease-Fire Plan
New York Times - 33 minutes ago
An Israeli soldier jumped off a tank near the border wit the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. More Photos > By ETHAN BRONNER and TAGHREED EL-KHODARY JERUSALEM - After five straight days of punishing air attacks, Israel rejected a proposal for a 48-hour ...
Video: Fighting in Gaza continues RussiaToday


Israel rejects truce call, attacks Gaza The Associated Press

Labels: cease-fire plan, france, gaza crisis, ground offensive, israel

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 7:25 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Obama faces tough choices on Israel-Palestine issue

With the Gaza battle now in its fourth day, President-elect Barack Obama may be forced to deal with yet another major international crisis when he takes office.

The conflict could drag on as neither side shows any signs of wanting to end the fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that the aerial attacks on Gaza were "the first of several stages" of an operation to root out Hamas from the area.

Reuters

Postcard to US President: Gaza

Rough Cut
Nov 05, 2008



On fourth day of Gaza battle, no end in sight
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
By Ethan Bronner and Taghreed El-Khodary JERUSALEM: Israel launched air strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the bombardment "the first of several stages," suggesting that ...
Video: Inside Story - Assault on Gaza continues - 29 Dec 08- Part 1 AlJazeeraEnglish
Israel Rejects Truce, Presses on With Gaza Strikes Washington Post



WELT ONLINE

Obama Defers to Bush, for Now, on Gaza Crisis
New York Times, United States - 9 hours ago
Otherwise, Mr. Obama could try to pressure surrogates to lean on Hamas, including Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza. He can try to build international ...
Video: Israel to fight Hamas to the end RussiaToday
Is Gaza conflict a crisis or an opportunity for Obama? Jewish Telegraphic Agency
News roundup: Gaza, the Super Bowl and Obama USA Today

Labels: barack obama, ehud olmert, gaza crisis, hamas, israel, palestine

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 6:41 AM 0 comments

Saturday, December 27, 2008

World leaders respond to Israeli attacks in Gaza

World leaders voiced concern over the new Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that began early today.

Leaders of many Arab and Muslim countries condemned the attacks which have killed more than 200 people. The Arab League has called an emergency meeting Sunday to address the flareup.

The United Nations, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and , British Prime Minister Gordon Brown all called for an immediate halt to the hostilities

The United States called on Israel to avoid civilian casualties, but blamed Hamas rocket attacks for provoking the strike.

Russia also called on Hamas to halt the rocket attacks, and urged Israel to stop its Gaza operations.

However, Israeli defense chief Ehud Barak implied that military action in Gaza is just in the beginning stages.

Telegraph.co.uk

World Leaders React to Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza Voice of America - 43 minutes ago By Kent Klein Israel's deadly airstrikes on Hamas compounds in the Gaza Strip are drawing sharp reactions in the Arab world, and a variety of responses elsewhere. Video: Israel launches missile attacks on Gaza - 27 Dec 08 AlJazeeraEnglish US blames Hamas for cease-fire break Reuters

Labels: gaza strip, israel, military attack, palestine

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 12:18 PM 0 comments

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Iranian leader congratulates Obama

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, seen here in September 2008, has congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama on his success -- rare praise between the two countries which are archfoes(AFP/Getty Images/File/Jeff Zelevansky)


Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday congratulated President-elect Barack Obama, the first such gesture since the 1979 revolution of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Obama has stated during his campaign that he would be willing to negotiate with foes including Iran.

Israel, though, expressed concerned about a possible open dialogue between the two countries.

ABC News

Nixon and China redux: Only Obama can go to Iran
Beliefnet.com, NY - 5 hours ago
But how likely is the Obama Administration to pursue closer ties with Iran? Obama's campaign rhetoric accepts the frame that Iran is intrinsically hostile, ...
Opening A Door In Tehran? Newsweek
Iran hesitant in its response to Obama's election The National
Talks Poised to Bring Iranian Rebirth Washington Post

Sydney Morning Herald

Iran president urges Obama to change US policies
Reuters - 1 hour ago
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated US President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday and called for "fundamental and fair" changes to US policies in the region, Iran's official IRNA news agency said.
Iranian leader welcomes Obama win BBC News
Ahmadinejad welcomes Obama change CNN International




Spiegel Online
Israel cautions against Obama dialogue with Iran
Reuters - 8 hours ago
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said on Thursday US President-elect Barack Obama's stated readiness to talk to Iran could be seen in the Middle East as a sign ...
Iran: Obama victory sign of Bush failure Xinhua
Israel's Livini blasts Obama's Iran plan Canada.com
The world is ready to move forward but Israel is clinging to the past Daily Star - Lebanon

Labels: iran, israel, mahmoud ahmadinejad

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 12:30 PM 0 comments

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Israel elects Livni as PM

Tzipi Livni is prepared to become Israel's second woman prime minister after winning a close election victory.

Livni will replace current PM Ehud Olmert who is embroiled in a corruption scandal.

The 50-year-old lawyer and one-time Mossad spy is a member of the centrist Kadima party. She is currently the foreign minister. She narrowly defeated by one point her main opponent, former general and current transportation minister Shaul Mofaz.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurie welcomed Livni's victoryi, saying he believed she would "pursue peace moves with us".

Times Online

Livni narrowly wins party vote, eyes Israel PM job Reuters - 24 minutes ago By Allyn Fisher-Ilan and Ari Rabinovitch TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Tzipi Livni was selected leader of Israel's ruling party and vowed on Thursday to start work immediately on forming a new coalition that will let her succeed the scandal-hit Ehud ... Video: Israel: Ruling party votes for new chief to replace Olmert france24english In first remarks, Livni stresses unity within party, country Jerusalem Post

Labels: israel, israeli elections, kadima party, shaul mofaz, tzipi livni

posted by Paul Kekai Manansala at 6:28 AM 0 comments

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