| UN :resolution passes Security - Council calls for cease-fire in GazaThu, 08 Jan 2009 23:01:50 -0800 by ArchivesAlgeriennes???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????????? ???. ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ???????? -??? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???????- ??????? 14 ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??????? ????. The U.N. Security Council late Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Fourteen of the council's 15 members voted in favor of the resolution, with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice abstaining from the vote on behalf of the United States.The resolution expresses "grave concern" about the growing humanitarian crisis and heavy civilian casualties in Gaza, as well as civilian deaths in Israel from Hamas rocket fire.Roughly 765 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have been killed since Israel began its military assault on Gaza on December 27. The resolution "stresses the urgency of, and calls for, an immediate, durable, and fully respected cease-fire which will lead to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza."A resolution from the council, particularly one that passes with such large support, can put international pressure on parties involved in a conflict. But they are in no way binding, and many in the past have been ignored by warring factions. "We are all very conscious that peace is made on the ground while resolutions are written in the U.N.," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband. "Our job here is to support the efforts for peace on the ground and turn the good words on paper into changes on the ground that are so desperately needed."Rice applauded the resolution's goals, but said the United States prefers to wait for results of ongoing, Egyptian-brokered talks in Cairo, Egypt, with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. She said the United States supported the text, goals and objectives of the resolution, but that the United States feels it's important to see the terms of any cease-fire hammered out in Egypt. The resolution welcomes efforts by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to broker a cease-fire. It calls for opening corridors to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza -- where food, water, electricity and medicine shortages have worsened already poor conditions since Israel's offensive in Gaza began.Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, told the Security Council that Hamas rocket attacks "left us with no choice.""The responsibility for the current hostilities lies squarely on Hamas," she said. "The international community must focus its efforts on the Hamas activity and make sure that the terrorist activity can never be legitimate." The Israeli military says its operation is aimed at halting the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007.Wrangling over the resolution centered on wording. Arab countries generally pushed for language demanding Israel cease its attacks, while Western diplomats wanted more neutral language."Security for the people of Gaza, too. Not security for Israel alone," Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, of Egypt, said before the vote as reporters were asking diplomats about the resolution. The 15-member Security Council is tasked by the United Nations with establishing and maintaining peace around the globe. It has the power to create peacekeeping operations, impose sanctions and authorize military action.The United States, Russia, China, France and Great Britain are the five permanent members, with the other 10 elected by the U.N. assembly to two-year terms. Any one of the permanent members can veto a resolution. Related: gaza un security council cease-fire resolution sweden denmark finland scandinavia israel army jihad cnn afp bbc childrens war fox cbs itn new york clash air strike missile obama us ali germany america f-16 bush terrorism israeli england idf palestine iran al jazeera sky news usa hamas islam jews muslims iraq algerie australia algeria tv france arabs sarkozy china russia allah egypt ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? | |
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| CNN: Agreement made on Gaza cease-fire resolutionThu, 08 Jan 2009 18:47:09 -0800 by ArchivesAlgeriennesA preliminary draft of the resolution obtained by CNN on Thursday expresses "grave concern" at the growing humanitarian crisis and heavy civilian casualties in Gaza as well as civilian deaths in Israel from Hamas rocket fire.Roughly 765 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military assault on Gaza on December 27, according to Palestinian medical sources. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, also have been killed since the military operation began.It was not clear immediately when a vote on the resolution could take place.The resolution draft "stresses the urgency of, and calls for, an immediate, durable, and fully respected cease-fire which will lead to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza."The draft also welcomes efforts by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to broker a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians in current talks in Cairo, Egypt. The draft calls for the opening of corridors to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where food, water, electricity and medicine shortages have worsened already poor conditions since Israel's offensive in Gaza began.The council's wrangling over the resolution centered on wording. Arab countries generally pushed for language demanding Israel cease attacks, while Western diplomats wanted more neutral language. The U.N. General Assembly postponed a meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday in anticipation of a vote by the Security Council."We will closely analyze the resolution and determine whether it is serious, and contemplates the pertinent measures -- both to ensure the immediate cease-fire and the unimpeded access to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people," assembly President Miguel d'Escoto said in a written statement.The Israeli military says its operation is aimed at halting the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007.advertisementTh e 15-member Security Council is tasked by the United Nations with establishing and maintaining peace around the globe. It has the power to create peacekeeping operations, impose sanctions and authorize military action.The United States, Russia, China, France and Great Britain are the five permanent members, with the other 10 elected by the U.N. assembly to two-year terms. Any one of the permanent members can veto a resolution. Related: gaza un security council cease-fire resolutionsweden denmark finland scandinavia israel army jihad cnn afp bbc childrens war fox cbs itn new york clash air strike missile obama us ali germany america f-16 bush terrorism israeli england idf palestine iran al jazeera sky news usa hamas islam jews muslims iraq algerie australia algeria tv france arabs sarkozy china russia allah egypt ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? | |
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| UN halts Gaza aid after convoy hit. two aid workers killedThu, 08 Jan 2009 18:19:50 -0800 by ArchivesAlgeriennesUN, found four weaks starving boys sitting next to the body of them dead's mother.The United Nations has suspended its aid operations in the Gaza Strip in the wake of a series of Israeli attacks on its personnel and buildings."Unrwa decided to suspend all its operations in the Gaza Strip because of the increasing hostile actions against its premises and personnel," Adnan Abu Hasna, a Gaza-based spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said on Thursday.The move came after Israeli tanks shelled a UN convoy earlier in the day, killing a Palestinian UN worker and injuring two others, as lorries were travelling to the Erez crossing to pick up humanitarian supplies meant to have been allowed in during a three-hour suspension of fire.At least three UN-run schools have also been hit by Israeli fire, killing scores of civilians, during the 13 days of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip.John Ging, the head of Unrwa in Gaza, said the casualties in Thursday's convoy attack were Palestinian civilian contractors hired to bring supplies from the crossing points."They were co-ordinating their movements with the Israelis, as they always do, only to find themselves being fired at from the ground troops," he told Al Jazeera."We've lost confidence. We have been reassured continuously over the last number of days that these incidents will not reoccur, and I have taken that in good faith because of the humanitarian imperative."We want to believe we are safe here ... but the bottom line is that I've lost confidence in the Israeli side and that needs to be restored urgently, and it is their duty to restore this confidence," Ging said.All convoys to Erez and the Kerem Shalom, which has been the main crossing point used for bringing humanitarian supplies into Gaza, were suspended after the incident.The Israeli military said it was looking into reports of Thursday's incident.Also on Thursday, Israel said it halted its military operations for three hours to allow humanitarian aid into the strip.The lull also allowed 50 bodies to be recovered, raising the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza to at least 763, including more than 200 children, since the Israeli offensive began on December 27.More than 3,121 people have also been wounded.Eight Israeli soldiers and three civilians have died in the same period.Explosions were heard in northern Gaza shortly after the three-hour lull, but even during the three hours, Israeli bulldozers crossed into Gaza and destroyed a number of houses, Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from southern Israel near the border, said.Thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the southern Gaza Strip as Israeli forces bombarded Rafah earlier on Thursday.Homes, a mosque and tunnels were hit in the area along the Egyptian border, witnesses said.The Israeli military had dropped leaflets beforehand, warning it would "bomb the area due to its use by terrorists to [dig] tunnels and to stock up [on weapons]".Hundreds of tunnels are believed to cross under the Egyptian border around Rafah allowing Palestinians to smuggle in daily necessities - in short supply due to the Israeli blockade as well as weapons.An Israeli army spokeswoman said the military had dropped the flyers "as in the past, to avoid civilian casualties". Israel had in effect cut the Gaza Strip in two and those in the southern part would not be able to go to the north seeking refuge and vice versa.It was unclear if the latest offensive was the "third stage" of the offensive approved by the Israeli security cabinet on Wednesday.A senior Israeli defence official said a meeting chaired by Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, had "approved continuing the ground offensive, including a third stage that would broaden it by pushing deeper into populated areas".The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday accused the Israeli military of not helping wounded Palestinians in an incident in Gaza City that it described as "shocking".ICRC and Palestinian Red Crescent workers said in a statement that several wounded Palestinians and four weakened children were found alongside 12 dead bodies in houses hit by shelling in Zaytun, less than 100 metres from Israeli positions."The ICRC believes that in this instance the Israeli military failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care for and evacuate the wounded," it said.The Red Cross team, including four ambulances, had only gained safe passage from Israeli army to access the neighbourhood on January 7 after trying for four days, the ICRC said. Related: gaza dead oslo norway hosiptal sweden denmark finland scandinavia israel army jihad cnn afp bbc childrens war fox cbs itn new york clash air strike missile obama us ali germany america f-16 bush terrorism israeli england idf palestine iran al jazeera sky news usa hamas islam jews muslims iraq algerie australia algeria tv france arabs sarkozy china russia allah egypt ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? | |
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| Why Israel won't let reporters into GazaThu, 08 Jan 2009 16:14:59 -0800 by ArchivesAlgeriennesCLOSE [X]"There is but one way to get a true picture of what is happening now. That is to allow journalists the access we need to tell this story with accuracy and with context."___________ ____________________ _______The United Nations aid agency has suspended its operations in the Gaza Strip in the wake of a series of Israeli attacks on its personnel and buildings."UNRWA decided to suspend all its operations in the Gaza Strip because of the increasing hostile actions against its premises and personnel," Adnan Abu Hasna, a Gaza-based spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, said on Thursday.The move came after Israeli tanks shelled a UN convoy earlier in the day, killing a Palestinian UN worker and injuring two others, as lorries were travelling to the Erez crossing to pick up humanitarian supplies meant to have been allowed in during a three-hour suspension of fire.At least three UN-run schools have also been hit by Israeli fire, killing scores of civilians, during the 13 days of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip.John Ging, the head of the UN relief agency in Gaza, said that the casualties in the convoy attack were Palestinian civilian contractors hired to bring supplies from the crossing points."They were co-ordinating their movements with the Israelis, as they always do, only to find themselves being fired at from the ground troops," he told Al Jazeera."It has resulted tragically in the death of one and the injury of two others."Richard Miron, the UN spokesman, said the Israeli army had been notified in advance about the movements of the UNRWA convoy.All convoys to Erez and the Kerem Shalom, which has been the main crossing point used for bringing humanitarian supplies into Gaza, were suspended after the incident."This underlines the fundamental insecurity inside Gaza at a time when we are trying to address the dire humanitarian needs of the population there," Miron said.Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Gaza City, said that 50 bodies were recovered during the three-hour lull, raising the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza to at least 763, including more than 200 children, since air raids first began on December 27.More than 3,121 people have also been wounded. Eight Israeli soldiers and three civilians have died in the same period.The Israeli military said it was looking into reports of Thursday's incident. A temporary halt in the nearly two-week Israeli offensive to allow humanitarian aid into the strip lasted from 1pm (11:00 GMT) to 4pm (14:00 GMT).Explosions were heard in northern Gaza shortly after the period elapsed.Israeli bulldozers crossed into Gaza during the lull and destroyed a number of houses, Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from southern Israel near the border, said.Thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the southern Gaza Strip as Israeli forces bombarded Rafah earlier on Thursday.Homes, a mosque and tunnels were hit in the area along the Egyptian border, witnesses said.The Israeli military had dropped leaflets beforehand warning it would "bomb the area due to its use by terrorists to [dig] tunnels and to stock up [on weapons]".Hundreds of tunnels are believed to cross under the Egyptian border around Rafah allowing Palestinians to smuggle in basic supplies, in short supply due to the Israeli blockade, and weapons.An Israeli army spokeswoman said the military had dropped the flyers "as in the past, to avoid civilian casualties". Related: gaza cold blood atrocities israel army jihad cnn afp bbc idf childrens war fox cbs itn new york clash air strike missile norway sweden denmark obama germany america f-16 bush terrorism israeli england palestine iran usa hamas islam jews washington muslims iraq algerie australia algeria tv france china anger russia allah egypt carnage women girl death humanity babys terrorist massacre crimes zionist scenes heart news murder young people american shame world | |
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| News - Middle East on the brink of the conflictThu, 08 Jan 2009 15:29:10 -0800 by jakojako777newMiddle East on the brinkThe conflict in the Middle East looks set to escalate with Lebanon in danger of being dragged into the hostilities. This follows an exchange of missile fire between militants based in southern Lebanon and Israeli forces.Israel returned fire on border areas in Lebanon after missiles fired from there hit the town of Nahariya in northern Israel.At least four Katyusha rockets fell around the northern Israeli border on Thursday morning, wounding two persons, Israeli police said. The Israeli army fired back with at least six artillery shells. So far, no casualties have been reported as resulting from the latter attack.??????? Missiles fired from within Lebanon hit thetown of Nahariya in northern IsraelA state of alert has been announced on both sides of the border. School classes have been cancelled both in Israeli and Lebanese schools. Citizens have been advised to take shelter. The town of Nahariya is now said to be in a state of panic.One of the rockets went through the roof of a Nahariya retirement home and exploded in the kitchen as about 25 elderly residents were eating breakfast in the adjacent dining hall. One resident suffered a broken leg, apparently from slipping on the floor after emergency sprinklers came on.No one has yet claimed responsibility for launching the rockets from Lebanon. Its the first such attack since Israel launched a major ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on December 27 aimed at stopping the frequent rocket attacks on Israeli territory by Palestinian militants.The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, has denied responsibility for the attack from Lebanon.The Lebanese government has condemned the attacks from both sides. In an official statement, the Lebanese prime minister, Fouad Siniora, confirmed the countrys adherence to the UN resolution and ceasefire agreement.The brief cross-border fire exchange may draw Israel into conflict with another radical Islamist group, Hezbollah a close ally of Hamas.A violent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 killed over 1,000 Lebanese and about 160 Israelis. The border area in southern Lebanon is now controlled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers.Meanwhi le, Israel has launched more than 20 pre-dawn air strikes on Gaza, followed by soldiers entering the territory and taking on Hamas militants in face-to-face clashes with. This follows a relatively quiet night for the people of Gaza.The Israeli army says it's captured more than 100 suspected militants and has found explosives and smuggling tunnels. A mosque has been destroyed in Gaza City, and ground clashes are being reported in the south.We didnt want to go to Gaza and start this operation, but we were forced to by the fact that about a million Israeli citizens are hiding in shelters because of the rocket attacks on Israel, said Andy David, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman.The second planned pause in Israel's assault is due to begin on Thursday afternoon to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians.Journalist s are not being allowed into Gaza, but RT's sister Arabic news channel Russiya Al Yaum is there. Related: middle east lebanon | |
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| Destruction in Gaza, filmed by Oxfam InternationalThu, 08 Jan 2009 14:55:06 -0800 by EUXTVThis footage of destruction in Gaza was made available by Oxfam International.http:/ /www.oxfam.org/en/pr essroom/pressrelease /2009-01-07/gaza-aid -agencies-call-suspe nsion-enhanced-eu-is rael-agreementsSkip to contentSkip to navigationSkip to sub-navigation [Accesskey '3']Skip to additional information [Accesskey '4']English Français EspañolJobs Press Policy Contact HomeAbout usGet involvedCampaignsDev elopmentEmergenciesP ress roomYou are here:HomePress roomPress releasesGaza: Aid agencies call for suspension of enhanced EU-Israel agreementsLog inRegisterPrint pageEmail pagePress roomPress releasesMedia contactsVideo LibraryMost popular pagesAbout usGet involvedDevelopmentP ress roomDonateGaza: Aid agencies call for suspension of enhanced EU-Israel agreements7 January 2009The EU must now apply real pressure to convince Israeli and Hamas leaders to accept [an immediate ceasefire].Jeremy HobbsExecutive Director of Oxfam International(Brusse ls, 7 January 2009) A coalition of major humanitarian, human rights and development organizations called on the European Union today to immediately suspend any further enhancement of its relations with Israel, known as an upgrade, until it agrees to a comprehensive ceasefire and provides unimpeded humanitarian access. Both Israels offensive in Gaza and Hamas rocket attacks into Israel have caused unacceptable civilian casualties.The call comes ahead of the informal meeting of EU ministers in Prague this Thursday. It follows Israels rejection of European attempts to secure an immediate ceasefire during a visit of the EUs most senior representatives to the region on Monday 5 January.Israel has shunned diplomatic efforts by the EU and the delegation has returned empty-handed. The EUs credibility is now at stake. It is inconceivable that we should extend further benefits of European partnership to a government that violates international humanitarian law and refuses negotiation in favour of continued violence. It is time for robust EU action to bring about an immediate ceasefire and end the violence on all sides, said Daleep Mukarji, Director of Christian Aid UK and Ireland.The coalition of organisations from over 10 European countries including Oxfam International, World Vision and Muslim Aid - warns that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, already dire following the 18-month blockade, has been pushed to crisis point by the current military conflict.More than a million Gazans face extreme shortages of electricity and water, and thousands of people have fled their homes. Food stocks are running short. Hospitals are struggling to function without electricity, relying on generators, and are unable to provide adequate care to the high number of casualties. Sewage is flooding into the streets of Beit Hanoun as the waste water pumping stations are shutting down due to lack of electricity.This is not the time to be awarding benefits to a party to the conflict. The civilian casualties and destruction of homes, schools and basic infrastructure in Gaza are shocking and increasing every day. The EU cannot proceed with upgrading our relations with Israel while such violations are talking place, said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH.The coalition calls on the EU to uphold fundamental European principles by:Suspending the EU-Israel upgrade process until a full, complete and permanent ceasefire has been agreed by all parties and Israel provides unimpeded humanitarian access;Making publicly clear that partnership with the EU should be linked to respect for human rights and international law;Securing action in the United Nations Security Council to adopt a binding resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire, and includes effective monitoring to ensure adherence to it by both sides.The EU agrees that an immediate ceasefire and an opening of Gaza crossings is our only hope for alleviating the desperate situation in Gaza and providing security for people on both sides. The EU must now apply real pressure to convince Israeli and Hamas leaders to accept this and redouble its efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the region, said Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International. Related: gaza israel hamas oxfam footage destruction news idf mossad palestine city palestinian territories peace war avaaz broederlijk delen(belgium cafod ccfd christian aid danish church diakonia euro-mediterranean human rights network fidh medico international trócaire united civilians for peace world vision | |
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