Gaza Under Siege Again, After Israeli Violation of Ceasefire and Palestinian Retaliation

ccun.org, June 27, 2008


Editor's Note:

It has become an Israeli predicted policy and course of action that if Israelis want to block any peace progress they assassinate Palestinians, then Palestinians retaliate, which is used by Israelis as justification for blocking any progress in the peace process.

The Israeli assassination of two Palestinian resistance fighters in Jenin did that exactly. Islamic Jihad retaliated by launching two projectiles from Gaza to the Israeli town of Sderot, which was used by the Israeli occupation government to close all the crossings to the Gaza strip, imposing siege again.

With the Gaza siege continuing, more suffering of the 1.5 million Palestinians there continues. Less food, fuel, and medicine means more Israeli war crimes committed against the Palestinian people.

Karni crossing open all others closed; both sides reconsider truce

Date: 27 / 06 / 2008  Time:  10:54
Bethlehem – Ma'an –

Minister of Defense Ehud Barak announced the opening of Karni crossing, a cargo route between Israel and the Gaza Strip, Friday morning. The rest of the crossings, however, will remain closed.

The decision came during a meeting between Barak and Deputy Minister of Defense Matan Vilani, and will see the continued closure of all crossings which the terms of truce would have seen opened by Friday. Israeli press has reported that due to the firing of rockets only the Karni crossing will be opened, to be used strictly for the import of limited quantities of fuel to the Gaza Strip.

Political sources in Jerusalem are saying that it is just a matter of time before the end of the truce is declared.

Vice Premier and Minister in the Prime Minister's office responsible for state policy Haim Ramon said that the Israeli government will be taking time to rethink the truce agreement.

During his meeting with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Thursday night, Ramon said that if Israel did not respond firmly by closing the crossings, the area surrounding the Gaza Strip will be showered by Palestinian Qassam rockets.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni mirrored these comments, saying that Israel must respond immediately to the Palestinian rocket attacks.

Al-Aqsa Brigades affirm statements made by "Abu Qusay" claiming Thursday attacks

Date: 27 / 06 / 2008  Time:  14:19
Gaza – Ma'an –

On Friday afternoon the Al-Aqsa Brigades confirmed the statement of "Abu Qusay" who claimed the Thursday projectile launch.

This new information contradicts reports from early Friday, which condemned "Abu Qusay" for delivering false information, and banned him from the Brigades.

The latest information holds that Qusay's claim of responsibility for the Thursday attacks is accurate. An Al-Aqsa Brigades spokesman told Ma'an Friday afternoon that the launch of projectiles on Thursday was meant as a message for Israel that the Palestinian resistance will not stand idle before the Israeli aggression towards Palestinians.

Statements from the Brigades received by Ma'an declared that that the truce should be renegotiated to include the West Bank in order to end the aggression of Israeli forces against the Palestinians.

Brigades representatives consider the statements made by Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri regarding the parties in Ramallah and their relationship with the Al-Aqsa Brigades, as a strong step towards strengthening internal divisions among Palestinians. The Brigades source continued, expressing the importance of this relationship as Israel's role in undermining the unity of the Palestinian people, their inherited history and struggle, increases.

Two projectiles launched at western Naqab

Date: 27 / 06 / 2008  Time:  13:35
Bethlehem – Ma'an -

Two Palestinian-launched projectiles landed in the western Naqab (Negev) on Friday morning, Israeli press sources said.

The sources said that one landed near Kibbutz Kfar Aza in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, and the second hit an open area. No casualties were reported.

No Palestinian faction has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The truce between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip that came into effect on 19 June is looking increasingly fragile with both sides claiming violations have been committed.

According to the reported terms of the truce, Israel agreed to allow more vital supplies into Gaza. On Friday morning the Karni crossing, which is the main commercial crossing into the coastal sector, was opened to allow limited quantities of fuel into the territory but the other crossings remain closed.

 

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