FROM THEIR TENTS outside a service station, evacuees from the former Jewish settlement of Elei Sinai in Gaza watch in dismay as Israeli troops reenter territory that was once home.
Read More »Israel rejects Palestinian demands as mediation efforts faltering
GAZA CITY (AFP) — Efforts to free an Israeli soldier whose abduction has triggered a major Middle East crisis have hit an impasse, Palestinian officials warned Saturday after Israel rejected new demands.
Read More »Rival Gaza factions close ranks to fight Jewish state
ABASSAN, Gaza Strip — In this unassuming farming village east of Khan Younis, Palestinian fighters stood in the olive orchard Saturday hoping for a shot at the Israeli armour digging in 300 metres away.
Read More »Israel vows ‘extreme measures’ to rescue soldier
Hamas government proposes freeing captured Israeli soldier in exchange for releasing their prisoners held by Israel. By Charles Levinson – RAFAH, Gaza Strip Israel launched a ground and air assault on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, vowing it would use “extreme measures” to try to free a teenage soldier held …
Read More »Israel on alert after warning to Syria
Israeli warplanes overflow Syrian President’s palace in northern Syria, sparking Damascus retaliation. By Jennie Matthew – JERUSALEM Israel was on high alert Thursday for possible retaliation after it threatened to kill Hamas militants harboured by the Damascus regime and flew warplanes over Syria’s presidential palace.
Read More »Israel arrests Hamas ministers
Body of Jewish settler abducted by gunmen found in West Bank as Israel turns up heat on Hamas. By Nasser Abu Bakr – RAMALLAH, West Bank Israel arrested Hamas ministers and stepped up its Gaza offensive Thursday, ratcheting up pressure on the Palestinians over the kidnapping of a soldier that …
Read More »Arabs criticise Israel as gov’ts work for soldier’s release
CAIRO — Arabs across the Mideast on Wednesday criticised an Israeli ground offensive into Gaza aimed at pressuring Palestinian fighters to release a captured soldier, even as Arab leaders continued to work behind-the-scenes to get the soldier freed.
Read More »Syria condemns Israeli warning flights
Israeli warplanes have flown over one of the Syrian president’s palaces to warn Damascus against supporting Palestinian fighters who abducted an Israeli soldier, the Israeli army says.
Read More »Gaza readies for Israeli invasion
GAZA CITY (AP) — A Palestinian group said Tuesday an abducted Israeli soldier was alive in a “secure placeâ€, as thousands of Israeli and Egyptian troops massed along the borders with Gaza in anticipation of an Israeli invasion.
Read More »Rival factions call off Gaza meeting
Israel seizes two activists in first raid into Gaza Strip since withdrawal GAZA CITY (AFP) — A planned meeting between rival Palestinian factions was cancelled at the last minute on Saturday at the request of President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, an official said.
Read More »