Tag: Israel/Hamas conflict
Operation Protective Edge – day 48.
OPE now in its 48th day, continues to drag on. Hamas has admitted to kidnapping of the three teens that started this war and has broken 6 consecutive cease-fires. Israel has lost at least 64 soldiers and 4 citizens while the number of dead in Gaza has reached over 2000 with at least 900 of those deaths as militants.
It has also been known for some time now that ISIS has a presence and strong influence in the Gaza Strip.The tone in Israel has been one of frustration against the Prime Minister and Defense Minister’s lackadaisical approach to completing the job and ending the war. But, that may have changed – a little…
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Sunday issued new directives to Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon: Strike every source of terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip. “No more immunity” for sectors or respect for borders or even civilians. Opening the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu and Yaalon said: ”We will continue to hammer Hamas – by air, for now. The world is beginning to grasp that Hamas is ISIS and ISIS is Hamas. Israel continues to stand by the civilized world.” Ya’alon aimed for national consensus when he said: “We stand by our policy of avoiding direct confrontation with Hamas or a decisive end to the war; preferring diplomatic closure.”
Recently Israel has targeted Hamas military leaders, killing at least 4 high ranking members. In return for supposed betrayal of Palestinian spying for Israel, Hamas has executed 27 Palestinians.
Hamas has now executed 27 Palestinians accused of spying for Israel, after killing another four Saturday. Seven were shot dead in a public square outside a Mosque after Friday prayers. The victims’ heads were shrouded in hoods and their hands tied behind their backs. The executions were taped and released for publication.
Meanwhile in the backdrop of ISIS, and the Israel/Hamas conflict, Libya spirals into a larger civil war.
Five weeks of bombardment by grad rockets have devastated parts of the capital, which is suffering cuts to power, water and petrol. Hospitals are running short of vital drugs and thousands are fleeing the city as fighting rages on.
The battle leaves Libya in a state of civil war, with fighting also raging between Islamist brigades and nationalist forces of a former general, Khalifa Hiftar, raging 400 miles away in the eastern city of Benghazi. There were reports that jets from Hiftar had struck and sunk a ship from Misrata trying to bring ammunition to Islamist brigades in the city. – See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/politicians-and-militia-groups-vye-control-battle-torn-libya-99372368#sthash.y8wwvGR2.dpuf
The violence in the Middle East will continue to ebb and flow while ever gravitating to the flow culminating just before the beginning of the Tribulation – and then the world will change to that which has never been nor ever shall be again…..
Hamas attempt of PA Coup uncovered
Remember there are 2 Muslim factions that make up the Palestinian community. Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank.
Israel’s security services revealed Monday that “the most dangerous Hamas network since the 80s” had been uncovered, plotting the violent overthrow of Palestinian Authority institutions in Ramallah and seizure of the West Bank. This coup was to be coupled with large-scale terrorist attacks in Israel. No date was attached to the revelation. Hamas terrorist cells were to converge on the PA seat from Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Jericho and 37 Palestinian villages. . The Shin Bet (Israeli Intelligence) reported making 93 arrests in the plot that was allegedly orchestrated by Saleh al-Arouri from Istanbul, who has maintained a base of operation labeled “Hamas-West Bank,” with the knowledge of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, since his deportation in 2010.
Al-Arari took care of recruiting activists and transferring of funds for terrorist operations assisted by a forward command in Jordan. Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal was alleged by the Israeli security services as in on the conspiracy. DEBKAfile finds the timing of this disclosure suggestive. It coincides with a meeting ion Qatar Monday between PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Meshaal, and may have been a reminder of Meshaal’s murky history – even though Egyptian President Abdel-Fatteh El-Sisi and Abbas must know all about the Hamas leader with whom they hope to conclude a deal for a long-term truce in Gaza.
http://www.debka.com/newsupdatepopup/9459/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-says-it-foiled-hamas-plan-for-coup-against-pa-in-west-bank/
Hamas ultimatum
Failing a Gaza seaport, the war goes on and thousands of Israelis will die
Hours before the 72-hour ceasefire was due to expire Friday morning, Aug. 8, the Palestinian Hamas’ military wing slapped down an ultimatum before Israel: Either allow the Gaza Strip to have an open seaport – which would be tantamount to lifting the Gaza blockade – or prepare for a long and brutal war of attrition with thousands of fatalities.
Hamas’ decision about extending the ceasefire was tensely awaited Thursday night after Israel’s acceptance. Instead, the Palestinian Islamists declared that the war would go on unless Israel bowed to their dictates.
Israel’s envoys had previously rejected their demand for a deep sea Gaza port in the talks taking place in Cairo under Egyptian auspices.Abu Obeida, spokesman of Hamas’ military wing, Ezz e-Din Al-Qassam, also announced that his movement had acquired new rockets with larger warheads than the more than 3,000 fired against the Israeli population in the month-long conflict, and they would be aimed at Israel’s Ben Gurion international airport. Israel would be severed from its air transport ties with the outside world, he said.
“We demand our fundamental rights,” said the Hamas spokesman, in a statement that was broadcast live Thursday night. “We call on our envoys to the Cairo talks not to continue negotiations until Israel surrenders to our demand for a seaport. The war is not over until the siege of Gaza ends.”
Turning Point?
Gaza’s sole power plant said down after Israeli attack
The only power plant supplying electricity to the Gaza Strip was knocked out of commission by Israeli shelling, the deputy director of the energy authority in the Palestinian territory said Tuesday.
Looking for that Blessed Hope! 