Referendum: Iren sagen „Nein“ zum EU-Reformvertrag

Dublin (Irland), 14.06.2008 – In dem vorgestern durchgeführten Referendum über den EU-Reformvertrag, auch Vertrag von Lissabon genannt, hat eine Mehrheit der Wähler mit Nein gestimmt. Der irische Justizminister Dermot Ahern sagte bereits am frühen Nachmittag: „Es sieht so aus, dass dies ein Nein-Votum sein wird.“ Der staatliche Radiosender RTE verbreitete die Information, nur in sechs von zu diesem Zeitpunkt ausgezählten 43 Wahlbezirken hätten die Wähler mehrheitlich mit Ja gestimmt.

Laut RTE lag die Wahlbeteiligung bei nur 45 Prozent. Das offizielle Endergebnis wurde für den späten Nachmittag erwartet. Vertreter der irischen Regierung gaben das Referendum jedoch, nachdem über 80 Prozent der Wahlbezirke ausgezählt sind, bereits verloren.

Auch der Europaparlamentarier Elmar Brok (CDU) ging offenbar bereits am Mittag von einem Nein bei dem Referendum in Irland aus. Den Ausgang des Referendums nannte er „ausgesprochen bedauerlich“. Der Ratifizierungsprozess müsse jedoch fortgesetzt werden. Irland war das einzige EU-Mitglied, das ein Referendum über den Vertrag von Lissabon abgehalten hat. In den anderen EU-Staaten werden die Parlamente über das Reformwerk abstimmen, von dem sich die EU-Institutionen eine größere Effektivität der Abstimmungsprozesse innerhalb der EU versprochen hatten. Ein Scheitern des Vertragswerks würde nach Ansicht politischer Beobachter zu einer schwerwiegenden Krise der Europäischen Union führen. Martin Schulz (SPD), Fraktionsvorsitzender der Sozialdemokraten im EU-Parlament, hält einen „tiefen Bruch“ innerhalb der EU für möglich. Er sagte: „Dann gerät die Europäische Union nicht nur in die Krise, sondern in die Notwendigkeit einer Identitätsklärung.“ Nach Einschätzung von Schulz besteht die Möglichkeit einer „Umgründung der Europäischen Union“, die eine Aufkündigung aller bisherigen Verträge einschlösse. Dann könnten die 18 EU-Staaten, die sich ursprünglich auf eine neue Verfassung geeinigt hatten, auf einer neuen Basis zu einer neuen Europäischen Union erklären. Dieses Modell firmiert unter dem Begriff eines „Kerneuropas“. Nach den Worten von Schulz ist ein solches Modell allerdings sehr unwahrscheinlich. Andererseits könne man angesichts der Situation, dass die übrigen Mitgliedsstaaten dem Vertrag wahrscheinlich zustimmen werden – so wurde der Vertrag am 11. Juni von gleich drei Ländern (Griechenland, Estland und Finnland) ratifiziert –  davon ausgehen, dass die Frage eines „Kerneuropas“ auf die Tagesordnung gesetzt werde: „Wenn ein Land sagt Nein, wir blockieren das alles, dann wird diese Frage sicher auf den Tisch kommen, ob dieses eine Land das machen kann und ob nicht die 26 anderen sagen Nein, wir lassen uns nicht aufhalten.“

Sein Fraktionskollege Jo Leinen, Vorsitzender des Verfassungsausschusses des Europaparlaments, vertrat dagegen die Ansicht, an einem zweiten Referendum führe „kein Weg vorbei“. Man müsse die Iren ernsthaft fragen: „War das euer letztes Wort?“ Euphorisch zeigte sich dagegen der konservative britische Europaabgeordnete Daniel Hannan, ausdrücklicher Befürworter eines Referendums auch in Großbritannien. Mit anderen hatte er eine Kampagne organisiert, die vor vielen irischen Botschaften in Europa dazu aufrief, die Iren sollten das tun was die anderen EU-Bürger nicht könnten: Nein sagen. Eine ähnliche Stossrichtung hatte auch die europäische Kampagne „Irish Friends Say No For Me“ vertreten, aus der deutsche, französische und österreichische Vertreterinnen der globalisierungskritischen Bewegung attac, die sich „für ein anderes Europa“ einsetzt, in einem Bus durch Irland gereist waren und als Wahlbeobachter die Auszählung begleitet haben.

In einem Interview mit dem Deutschlandfunk hatte Martin Schulz bereits gestern der irischen Regierung vorgeworfen, sie habe sich „viel zu spät intensiv in die Kampagne eingeschaltet, um die Leute zu informieren und aufzuklären“. Viele Iren hätten angesichts der bevorstehenden Abstimmung erklärt, sie hätten gar nicht gewusst, worum es überhaupt ginge. Als weitere Ursache der ablehnenden Haltung der Iren zum EU-Vertrag nannte er eine gezielt geschürte Stimmung, die alle Missstände der Europäischen Union anlaste: „Das ist eine Negativkoalition von Leuten, die sich sonst auf der Straße nicht Guten Tag sagen und ein einigendes Band haben: Das alles ist Mist, was aus Brüssel kommt.“

Natürlich sehen das die Gewinner des Referendums (53,5% Nein, 46,5% Ja) anders: Declan Ganley, Unternehmer und Gründer der Initiative 'Libertas', bezeichnete dies als einen „grossen Tag für die Demokratie“. Der Taoiseach (Premierminister), Brian Cowen, habe nun den Auftrag nach Europa zu gehen und das bestmögliche auszuhandeln. Cowen war erst vor kurzem als Nachfolger des zurückgetretenen Premiers Bertie Ahern ins Amt gekommen. Sein Antrittsbesuch beim Europäischen Rat steht noch aus. Joe Higgins von der Sozialistischen Party äußerte sich in Dublin Castle, wo das amtliche Endergebnis verkündet werden wird, ebenso positiv. Trotz der Unterstützung der großen Parteien und Konzerne habe die „Nein“ Seite die besseren Argumente gehabt. Dies sei nun keine Katastrophe sondern ein Weckruf für die arbeitende Bevölkerung in ganz Europa, sich für ein sozialeres Europa einzusetzen, gegen die Militarisierung der EU und für einen Stop der Abwärtsspirale an Arbeitnehmerrechten wie sie das Laval-Urteil verkörpere. Mary Lou MacDonald von Sinn Féin sah im Nein vor allem eine ernsthafte Sorge um die irische Neutralität und die drohende Marginalisierung der irischen Stimme in Europa. Eamon Devoy von einer der großen Gewerkschaften des Landes, der Vertretung der Techniker, Ingenieure und Elektriker, sah sich bestätigt und ein „Nein“ im Endergebnis für sicher. Der fraktionslose britische Europaabgeordnete Daniel Hannan erklärte im Online-Auftritt der englischen Zeitung Telegraph, nun sei es an der Zeit, die Schritte zurückzunehmen, die im Hinblick auf ein sicher geglaubtes „Ja“ bereits eingerichtet wurden: Die Grenzschutzagentur Frontex und die Europäische Rüstungsagentur sowie Eurojust.

18 Länder haben dem Lissaboner Vertrag bisher zugestimmt. Damit der Vertrag, der Ersatz für den in Volksabstimmungen in Frankreich und den Niederlanden abgelehnten EU-Verfassungsvertrag ist, in Kraft treten kann, müssen jedoch alle EU-Mitglieder zustimmen. Nach den gescheiterten Referenden über die EU-Verfassung war diesmal Irland das einzige Land in dem, von der irischen Verfassung vorgeschrieben, eine Volksabstimmung stattfand.


Traité de Lisbonne : les Irlandais disent « níl »

Les Irlandais ont été appelés, jeudi, aux urnes pour se prononcer pour ou contre le Traité de Lisbonne remplaçant le projet de traité constitutionnel rejeté par la France et les Pays-Bas. Ce texte devait être ratifié par l'ensemble des 27 pays que compte l'Union européenne. L'ensemble des États ont utilisé ou utiliseront la voie parlementaire pour le ratifier sauf l'Irlande.

Selon le ministre de la Justice irlandais, Dermot Ahern, le corps électoral aurait rejeté le Traité de Lisbonne. À Dublin, plusieurs ciconscriptions annonçaient une victoire du « No » à 60 % voire plus dans certaines.

La Radio-télévision irlandaise, RTE, partage aussi l'analyse du ministre de la Justice en assurant une victoire définitive du non.

Vers 14h20, sur la base des résultats définitifs portant sur 19 circonscriptions sur 43, le « non » l'emporterait avec 54,7 % contre 45,3 % pour le « oui ». Sur des résultats complets portant sur 29 circonscriptions, vers 14h58, le rejet porte sur 53,5 % des suffrages exprimées contre 46,5 % en sa faveur. Dès lors, les résultats n'ont plus évolué.

Les partisans du rejet du Traité de Lisbonne ne cachent pas leur satisfaction. L'un d'entre eux, M. Declan Ganley, a déclaré : « Le peuple irlandais a rejeté le Traité de Lisbonne. C'est un grand jour pour la démocratie irlandaise. (…) C'est la démocratie en action… et l'Europe a besoin d'écouter la voix du peuple ».

Ce rejet pourrait mettre fin aux différents processus de ratification au sein de l'Union européenne.

Mais plusieurs voix se sont élevées tant au niveau des instances européennes, qu'au sein de plusieurs gouvernements pour tenter de trouver un artifice juridique pour contourner ce « non » irlandais.

Vers 17h00, les résultats furent communiqués : 752 451 (46,6 %) se sont prononcées en faveur du Traité contre 862 415 (53,4 %).


Unione Europea: attesa per l'esito del referendum irlandese

Inizieranno oggi alle 10.00 (CEST) gli spogli delle schede in Irlanda, dove ieri si è tenuto il referendum sul Trattato di Lisbona. Il fronte del "si" è dato in leggero vantaggio, ma l'alta astensione rischia di favorire gli euroscettici del "no".

Il Trattato di Lisbona, firmato dai capi di stato e di governo dei paesi membri dell'UE alla fine del 2007, è una sorta di riedizione della Costituzione Europea del 2004; infatti prevede le stesse riforme delle procedure di decisione (estensione della procedura della maggioranza qualificata, che sostituisce l'unanimità in una serie di campi) e delle ponderazioni degli stati.

Dopo il cammino della Costituzione nel 2004-2005 interrotto dai referendum di ratifica di Francia e Paesi Bassi, la maggior parte dei paesi hanno scelto di ratificare il trattato attraverso le procedure parlamentari. Solo l'Irlanda ha optato per un referendum, lasciando così il destino di 500 milioni di Europei sospeso al voto di appena 3 milioni di loro.

Le riflessioni sulla legittimità della ratificazione parlamentare e della procedura di decisione alla maggioranza qualificata si estendono dunque all'applicazione del referendum in un solo paese, e le critiche a questa scelta irlandese potrebbero rivelarsi molto virulente.

Alle ore 13h01 il sito della Repubblica da il "no" in leggero vantaggio.


Ireland votes 'Yes' to Lisbon Treaty

On Saturday, 67% of Irish voters favored the European Union's (EU) Lisbon Treaty which now requires approval from the presidents of the Czech Republic and Poland for ratification.

With polls closed at 10 PM local, the vote in favor of the EU treaty stands at 67% in favor and 33% against.  41 of Ireland's 43 constituencies had a majority of voters in favor of the treaty. The treaty was mainly supported by the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour parties amongst others and was opposed mainly by the Sinn Féin Party and Libertas. The Irish rejected the Lisbon Treaty in June 2008 when 53% of the population voted against the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland that covered the ratification in a referendum. Since 2007 the Lisbon treaty has undergone a series of ratification votes and reviews in all of the current 27 member-states. Ireland was the only state to require both a parliamentary vote and a popular referendum.

The Lisbon Treaty is a number of amendments to the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty Establishing the European Community, which was later renamed the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.  Some of the major tenets of the Lisbon Treaty include the legitimization of the European Central Bank, revisions to European Court of Justice powers, a restructing of EU-level legislative institutions, and the establishment of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.  Also, the treaty allows for the election of an EU President for two and one-half years by the executives of each member-nation.

With the treaty now passed in Ireland, the Czech Republic and Poland will make a final review.  In the Czech Republic, the parliament has already passed a bill supporting the treaty however, the signature of Czech President Vaclav Klaus is required.  Senators from the Czech Parliament have filed a complaint with the Czech Constitutional Court on the grounds that the treaty violates their constitution.  Legally, the president cannot ratify the treaty until the Court makes a decision.  Poland must also sign-off on the treaty before it can be enacted.  The Polish parliament also has approved the treaty but Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, must also sign the document.  Thus, while Ireland's referendum is important in the ratification process, the Czech Republic and Poland must still approve.


Iren stimmten dem Vertrag von Lissabon mit großer Mehrheit zu

Dublin (Irand), 04.10.2009 – In einem Referendum stimmten die Iren am Freitag mit großer Mehrheit dem EU-Reformvertrag (auch: Vertrag von Lissabon genannt) zu. Nachdem das Reformwerk, das die Rechte der Mitgliedsstaaten innerhalb der Europäischen Union in einigen wichtigen Punkten neu regeln soll, in einer ersten Abstimmung vom Juni 2008 mehrheitlich abgelehnt worden war, stimmten nun 67,1 Prozent für den Vertrag. Das Lager der Vertragsgegner kam nun nur noch auf 32,9 Prozent der Stimmen. Im Juni 2008 hatten 53,4 Prozent gegen die Reform gestimmt.

Das veränderte Abstimmungsverhalten der Iren wird von Beobachtern im Kontext der Wirtschafts- und Finanzkrise gesehen. Irland wurde besonders hart von der Wirtschaftskrise getroffen. Viele Iren erhoffen sich Unterstützung von der Europäischen Union in dieser schwierigen Zeit.

Der Vertrag von Lissabon war als Nachfolgeprojekt für das gescheiterte Projekt einer gemeinsamen europäischen Verfassung auf den Weg gebracht worden. Damit der Vertrag in Kraft treten kann, müssen nun noch zwei der 27 EU-Staaten den Vertrag ratifizieren: Polen und Tschechien. Die Präsidenten beider Länder gelten als ausgesprochene Gegner der Europäischen Union. Auch der Oppositionsführer im Vereinigten Königreich, der Führer der Konservativen, David Cameron, will den Lissaboner Vertrag im Falle eines Wahlsieges bei den nächsten Unterhauswahlen durch ein Referendum zu Fall bringen.

Der tschechische Präsident Václav Klaus erklärte nach dem Ausgang des Referendums in Irland, er sehe keine Eile für eine Unterzeichnung des durch das tschechische Parlament bereits gebilligten Vertrages, weil er zunächst eine anhängige Klage vor dem Verfassungsgericht Tschechiens gegen den Vertrag von Lissabon abwarten wolle. Auf Antrag von 17 tschechischen Senatoren soll das Verfassungsgericht mit Sitz in Brno (Brünn) die Rechtmäßigkeit des Vertrages prüfen. Das oberste tschechische Gericht hatte sich bereits im November 2008 schon einmal mit dem Vertrag beschäftigt und keinen Widerspruch zur tschechischen Verfassung festgestellt. Der tschechische Präsident Klaus hatte nach diesem Gerichtsentscheid im November letzten Jahres erklärt, er werde seine Bereitschaft zur Unterzeichnung eines durch das Parlament Tschechiens abgesegneten Vertrages von der Haltung Irlands abhängig machen.


Irlanda aprueba el Tratado de Lisboa

3 de octubre de 2009Dublín, Irlanda — Los irlandeses aprobaron el Tratado de Lisboa para la reforma de la Unión Europea con un 67% favorable en un referendo realizado el sábado.

Cerca de tres millones de irlandeses fueron llamados a participar en las votaciones, de los cuales la prensa irlandesa estima que participaron más del 53%.

Este resultado constituye una victoria para el Primer Ministro Brian Cowen, quien apoyó el tratado como una primera medida para salir de la grave crisis económica que atraviesa el país, tras el primer rechazo de la iniciativa en otro referendo realizado hace un año. En una declaración pública después de las votaciones, afirmó "hoy es un gran día para Irlanda y un gran día para Europa".

Por su parte los opositores aceptaron la derrota, declarándose asombrados por el gran apoyo registrado y atribuyendo el resultado a la recesión económica que golpea actualmente a la nación.

Con la ratificación de Irlanda, ahora solo queda pendiente la aprobación de Polonia y República Checa para que el tratado entre en vigor.


L'Union européenne salue l'adoption du traité de Lisbonne en Irlande

Les présidents de la Commission européenne et du Parlement européen, José Manuel Barroso et Jerzy Busek, ont salué les résultats du référendum en Irlande où 67,1 % de la population ont voté en faveur de l'adoption du traité de Lisbonne.

« Merci l'Irlande ! C'est un grand jour pour l'Irlande et c'est un grand jour pour l'Europe », s'est exclamé M. Barroso lors d'un entretien avec des journalistes.

Selon lui, après le « oui » irlandais, le traité de Lisbonne est actuellement ratifié par tous les 27 pays membres de l'Union européenne (UE).

M. Busek a, pour sa part, estimé que les Irlandais avaient prêté leur appui au projet européen.

« L'Union européenne sera désormais plus efficace et notre coopération plus fructueuse », lit-on dans une déclaration du président du Parlement européen diffusée samedi à Bruxelles.


லிஸ்பன் உடன்படிக்கைக்கு அயர்லாந்து வாக்காளர்கள் ஆதரவு

அயர்லாந்து வாக்காளர்கள் ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றியத்துக்கு தீர்மானம் எடுக்கும் அதிகாரங்களை வழங்குவதற்கான லிஸ்பன் உடன்படிக்கைக்கு உறுதியான சம்மதத்தை வழங்கியுள்ளனர்.

இதற்காக நடத்தப்பட்ட வாக்கெடுப்பு முடிவுகளை அறிவித்த ஐரியப் பிரதமர் பிரையன் கவன், மக்கள் மிகத் தெளிவான தொனியில் இந்த சம்மதத்தை அளித்துள்ளதாகக் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

வாக்குகள் தொடர்ந்தும் எண்ணப்பட்டு வருகின்றபோதிலும் இதுவரை வெளியான முடிவுகளின்படி மூன்றிலிரண்டு பங்கு வாக்காளர்கள் உடன்படிக்கையை அங்கிகரித்துள்ளதாக செய்திகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

ஜெர்மனி, பிரான்ஸ் ஆகிய நாடுகளுடன் ஐரோப்பிய ஆணையத்தின் தலைவர் ஜோஸ் மெனுவல் பெராசோவும், கடந்த வருடம் உடன்படிக்கைக்கு எதிராக அமைந்த மக்கள் தீர்ப்புக்கு மாறாக, இம்முறை சாதகமாக வெளியாகியுள்ள மக்கள் அங்கிகாரத்தைப் பெரிதும் வரவேற்றுள்ளார்.

பிரிட்டிஷ் பிரதமர் கோர்டன் பிரவுன், ஐரோப்பியர்களுக்கு பொதுவான பிரச்சனைகள் குறித்து இனி இணைந்து பணியாற்ற முடியும் என தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

சனி, அக்டோபர் 3, 2009


İrlanda Lizbon Anlaşması'nı onayladı

3 Ekim 2009, Cumartesi (Güncelleme: 4 Ekim 2009)

İrlanda, Avrupa Birliği için önemi büyük olan ve Avrupa Birliği'nin anayasası olarak da bilinen Lizbon Anlaşması'nı oyladı. İrlanda'da sona eren oy verme işleminin ardından 09.00'da (UTC) oy sayımına başlandı. Oy sayımının ardından sandıklar İrlanda'nın başkentinde Dublin'de bulunan Dublin Kalesi'nde toplanacak ve kamuoyuna açıklanacak. Sonuçların bugün belli olması bekleniyor. Ülkede oy kullanma hakkı bulunan 3 milyon kişi bulunuyor. Öte yandan önceki oylamaya katılım oranı %53,1'di.

12 Haziran 2008 tarihinde yapılan ilk oylamada Lizbon Anlaşması %46,6 evet oyuna karşılık %53,4 ile kabul edilmemişti.

İrlanda'dan UTC ile akşam saatlerinde gelen sonuçlara göre İrlanda yeni AB anayasası olarak nitelendirilen Lizbon Anlaşması'nı referandum sonucu onayladı. Oyların %67,13'ü evet, %32,87'si ise hayır oldu. Referanduma katılım oranın %58 olduğu açıklandı.


Irish Guardian journalist reported missing in Iraq

Rory Carroll, an Irish citizen working in Iraq for the Guardian newspaper, has been reported missing, amid fears that he has been kidnapped.

33-year-old Carroll had been in Iraq for nine months, having previously worked as the Guardian's Africa correspondent. While in that post he wrote a series of groundbreaking stories, including an exposé of an alleged coup plot by British and South African mercenaries against the government of Equatorial Guinea.

Last month, Carroll wrote an article focussing on the dangers faced by his colleagues in Iraq, particularly local journalists. Earlier this week he penned a report highlighting claims that a US air strike had killed "dozens of women and children". The left-leaning Guardian newspaper, which opposed the Iraq war and has been critical of the British and US-led occupation, is urgently seeking confirmation of Carroll's whereabouts.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has called for Carroll's immediate release:

"We are deeply concerned about the safety of our colleague Rory Carroll, an independent journalist who has covered all aspects of the conflict in Iraq," the CPJ's Executive Director Ann Cooper said in a statement.

According to the CPJ, 34 journalists have been kidnapped in Iraq since April 2004, with all but six being released unharmed.


英ガーディアン紙特派員、イラクで行方不明に

英ガーディアン紙の特派員でアイルランド国籍のローリー・キャロル氏（33）が、19日行方不明になった。誘拐が懸念されている。アルジャジーラなどが伝えた。

キャロル氏は、19日、バグダード市内の自宅から、フセイン元大統領裁判の初公判についての市民の反応を取材にいったまま、行方不明になった。ガーディアンではキャロル氏が誘拐されたとし、20日の一面で解放を呼びかける記事を掲載した。アイルランド政府は対応を急いでいる。

今年1月にイラクに赴任する以前、キャロル特派員は、ガーディアン紙のアフリカ駐在員を務めていた。アフリカでは、赤道ギニア政府に対するイギリスと南アフリカの傭兵によるクーデター計画の疑いをスクープするなど、数々の優れた記事を発表してきた。

キャロル特派員は、先月、イラクで活動する記者の直面する危険を取り上げる記事を書いた。記事はとりわけイラクの地元記者の危険に焦点を当てていた。また今週、キャロル特派員が書いた記事は、米空軍の空爆が多くの女性や子どもを殺害しているという非難を取り上げていた。ガーディアンは左翼よりの新聞で、イラク戦争には反対しており、英米政府主導の占領に反対してきた。現在、ガーディアンでは、キャロル特派員の居所について確認を急いでいる。

ニューヨークに本拠を置く国際的な記者の団体、「ジャーナリスト保護委員会」（CPJ）では、キャロル特派員を直ちに解放するよう声明を出した。

CPJによれば、2003年4月以降、イラクでは34人の記者が誘拐されている。そのうち6人を除く全員は、無事解放されている。アルジャジーラによれば、2003年3月のイラク戦争開始後、イラクでは220人以上の外国人が誘拐され、そのうちほぼ40人が殺害されている。アルジャジーラは「国境なき記者団」の調べでは記者とアシスタントをあわせ72人が殺害されていると伝えている。

英語版ウィキニュースからの翻訳を含みます。


ISIS attacks United States consulate in Irbil, Iraq

On Friday a car bomb, claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), killed, by varying reports, at least three people and injured at least five others, possibly including a US national, outside of the United States Consulate in Irbil, Iraq. According to the US Department of State there were no injuries to consulate personnel.

According to police, following a small improvised explosion, a car approached the consulate, but exploded short of the consulate when fired on by security personnel. They said the explosives seem to have been triggered by the people inside the car, not the gunfire.

According to Reuters, until this incident there had been little ISIS aggression in Irbil since November.  Ainkawa, the consulate's neighborhood, is mainly Christian. Reportedly the primary blast took place at approximately 5:40 p.m. local time, when the neighborhood is busy.

On Saturday, an attack claimed by ISIS in Afghanistan killed reportedly at least thirty-three people outside of a major bank which had a long line of people outside of it waiting to collect their pay checks.


L'Estat Islàmic ataca el consolat dels Estats Units a Arbela, Iraq

Divendres, un cotxe bomba, reivindicat per l'Estat Islàmic de l'Iraq i Síria (ISIS), va matar variant informes almenys a tres persones i va ferir almenys a cinc, possiblement incloent un ciutadà nord-americà, fora del consolat dels Estats Units a Arbela, Iraq. Segons el Departament d'Estat dels Estats Units no havia ferits al personal del consolat.

Segons la policia, després d'una petita explosió improvisada, un cotxe es va acostar al consolat, però va explotar sota del consolat quan van disparar contra el personal de seguretat. Van dir que els explosius semblen haver estat detonats per les persones a l'interior del cotxe, no pel foc.

Segons Reuters, fins que aquest incident havia hagut poca agressió de l'Estat Islàmic a Arbela des de novembre. Ankawa, prop del consolat, és de majoria cristiana. Pel que sembla l'explosió primària va tenir lloc aproximadament a les 17:40 hora local, quan el barri tenia molta activitat.

Dissabte, un atac reivindicat per l'Estat Islàmic a l'Afganistan va matar, segons els informes, almenys trenta-tres persones fora d'un banc important, que tenia una llarga cua de gent esperant per recollir els seus xecs de pagament.


Estado Islâmico ataca Consulado dos Estados Unidos em Irbil, Iraque

Na sexta-feira, um carro-bomba, reivindicado pelo Estado Islâmico (EI) matou, por variantes relatos, pelo menos três pessoas e feriu pelo menos outras cinco pessoas, incluindo possivelmente um cidadão dos EUA, fora do Consulado dos Estados Unidos em Irbil (ou Erbil), Iraque. De acordo com o Departamento de Estado dos EUA não houve feridos para o pessoal do consulado.

Segundo a polícia, na sequência de uma pequena explosão improvisado, um carro se aproximou do consulado, mas explodiu curto do consulado quando atiraram em pelo pessoal de segurança. Eles disseram que os explosivos parecem ter sido desencadeada pelas pessoas dentro do carro, não o tiroteio.

De acordo com a Reuters, até que este incidente tinha havido pouca agressividade EI em Irbil desde novembro. Ainkawa, bairro do consulado, é principalmente cristã. Consta que a explosão primária ocorreu em cerca de 05:40 hora local, quando o bairro é ocupado.

No sábado, um ataque reivindicado por EI no Afeganistão matou declaradamente pelo menos trinta e três pessoas do lado de fora de um grande banco que tinha uma longa fila de pessoas fora dela esperando para recolher os seus cheques de pagamento.


Islamic State capture Syrian airbase

Islamic State fighters are reported to have taken control of Tabqa airbase, the last government stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Raqqa, today after several days of fighting.

The loss was confirmed by Syrian state television, who reported a "successful evacuation of the airport" and that the government forces were continuing local operations against "terrorist groups". This is the third military base in the province to fall to the extremist group in recent weeks, after reports of them seizing weapons during their advances in neighboring Iraq.

Monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 300 Islamic State fighters were killed in the fighting since Tuesday, with over 150 government soldiers killed in the same time frame. Clashes reportedly continue in the area around the base.

The airbase reportedly contained several squadrons of warplanes, tanks, and artillery.

Elsewhere, Islamic State fighters were reported to have withdrawn from the area around Homs and to have retreated east, giving up the area to fighters of the al-Nusra Front. Other rebel groups backed by Western countries have also been fighting the Islamic State, but tend to lose those confrontations.

The ongoing fighting is a continuation of the Syrian Civil War, which started in 2011 as protest groups confronted forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Fighters of the Islamic State had previously fought alongside other opposition groups, but its treatment of individuals led to fighting between them.


Estado Islâmico captura base aérea Síria

Militantes do Estado Islâmico foram relatados por terem tomado o controle da base aérea Tabqa, a última fortaleza do governo no norte da Síria província de Raqqa, hoje, depois de vários dias de luta.

A perda foi confirmada pela televisão estatal síria, que relatou uma "evacuação bem sucedida do aeroporto", e que as forças do governo estão a continuar em operações locais contra "grupos terroristas". Esta é a terceira base militar na província de cair para o grupo extremista nas últimas semanas, depois de relatos de eles apreendem armas durante os seus avanços no vizinho Iraque.

O grupo de monitoramento Observatório Sírio de Direitos Humanos reportou mais de 300 militantes do Estado Islâmico foram mortos nos combates desde terça-feira, com mais de 150 soldados do governo mortos no mesmo período de tempo. Confrontos relatados continuam na área em torno da base.

A base aérea relatada continha várias esquadrilhas de aviões de guerra, tanques e artilharia.

Em outros lugares, os combatentes do Estado Islâmico foram relatados de terem retirado da área em torno de Homs e ter recuado leste, dando-se a área para combatentes da Frente al-Nusra. Outros grupos rebeldes apoiados por países ocidentais também foram lutando contra o Estado islâmico, mas tendem a perder os confrontos.

Os combates em curso é uma continuação da Guerra Civil Síria, que começou em 2011 como protesto em grupos diante das forças leais ao presidente Bashar al-Assad. Combatentes do Estado Islâmico já havia lutado ao lado de outros grupos da oposição, mas o seu tratamento com indivíduos levaram a combates entre eles.


Islamic State captures Syrian city of Palmyra

On Thursday Islamic State reportedly completed taking the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria. The victory comes just a few days after the group seized Ramadi, Iraq last weekend.

The victory puts their forces in a position to strike westward toward a number of strategic positions, including Damascus, the capital of Syria, which is connected to Palmyra by a major highway.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain, estimates over half of Syria — by area — is now under Islamic State control. Holding Palmyra also provides them with access to the city’s military bases, airport, and nearby oil fields.

Palmyra is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a variety of ruins, including a Roman colonnaded street. UNESCO has expressed concern for the safety of the ruins now that Islamic State controls the city. The group has previously destroyed ruins and cultural monuments during their military campaigns.

The US strategy in the region has relied on air strikes. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest has said President Obama is not contemplating a commitment of US forces to combat Islamic State on the ground.


L'Estat Islàmic captura la ciutat siriana de Palmira

Segons informes, dijous l'Estat Islàmic va completar la captura de l'antiga ciutat de Palmira, a Síria. La victòria es produeix tan sols uns dies després que el grup es va apoderar de Ramadi, Iraq, el cap de setmana.

Aquesta victòria posa les seves forces en una posició d'atac en direcció oest cap a un gran nombre de posicions estratègiques, incloent Damasc, capital de Síria, la qual està connectada a Palmira per una carretera important.

L'Observatori sirià dels drets humans, amb seu al Regne Unit, estima més de la meitat de Síria - per àrea - està ara sota el control de l'Estat islàmic. Palmira també els proporciona accés a les bases militars de la ciutat, l'aeroport i els camps petroliers propers.

Palmira és també Patrimoni de la Humanitat per la UNESCO i és la llar d'una gran varietat de ruïnes, incloent un carrer de columnes romà. L'UNESCO ha expressat la seva preocupació per la seguretat de les ruïnes ara que l'Estat Islàmic controla la ciutat. El grup ha destruït prèviament ruïnes i monuments culturals durant les seves campanyes militars.

L'estratègia dels Estats Units a la regió s'ha basat en els atacs aeris. El secretari de premsa de la Casa Blanca, Josh Earnest, ha dit que el president Barack Obama no està contemplant un compromís de les forces nord-americanes per combatre l'Estat Islàmic a terra.

Més notícies relacionades amb l'Estat Islàmic


Síria: Estado Islâmico conquista sítio arqueológico e a cidade de Palmira

Palmira, Síria • 22 de maio de 2015

Extremistas islâmicos tomaram ontem (21) o controle de uns dos famosos sítios arqueológicos de Palmira (ou Palmyra), apenas algumas horas desde a noite e conquistou uma cidade no centro da Síria.

A Associated Press estimou que a conquista de Palmira tarde hoje "surpreendente triunfo" para o Estado Islâmico, poucos dias depois de vencer a estratégica cidade de Ramadi na maior província sunita do Iraque.

Uma vez que o Estado Islâmico venceu Palmira, forças militares sírias foram literalmente se desintegraram e os soldados foram vistos fugindo da área, disseram os ativistas. Televisão estatal síria anunciou que as forças pró-governo se retirou do Palmira.

Rami Abdurrahman, do Observatório Sírio para os Direitos Humanos, com sede na Grã-Bretanha, confirmou que os extremistas ganharam um pouco depois da meia-noite sobre as ruínas arqueológicas em Palmira, a sudoeste da cidade. E ativistas de Homs estão especificadas. Ambos disseram que os extremistas não ter danificado os restos arqueológicos. Em um comunicado emitido hoje em uma página no Facebook, perto do Estado Islâmico, disse que os soldados do Estado Islâmico completou o seu controle de Palmira, bem como sobre o aeroporto da cidade e prisão.

Acrescenta que a cidade é conquistada como eles foram goleou por forças do governo, "deixando muitos mortos cujos corpos jazem nas ruas".

Ruínas em Palmira é um dos mais famosos locais históricos do mundo e há temores de que extremistas poderiam destruir-los como eles fizeram e a importância da vestígios arqueológicos no Iraque.

Palmira está na lista da UNESCO do patrimônio cultural mundial e é famosa por seus 2.000 anos de idade colunatas dos romanos e outros restos de valor inestimável.

Antes da guerra na Síria, milhares de turistas iam todos os anos para verem o sítio arqueológico no fundo do deserto, que os sírios chamam-a de "Noiva do Deserto".

O ministro de Antiguidades e Museus em Damasco Mamun Abdul Karim disse que o museu na cidade de Palmira sofreu "danos menores" durante a ofensiva do Estado Islâmico.

"A cidade agora totalmente controlado por extremistas e seu destino é obscuro e claro. Nós somos capazes de antecipação e medo do que vai acontecer com o resto dos restos e artefatos arqueológicos do museu ", disse Abdulkarim.

Ele acrescentou que antes da queda do Palmira, "as mais preciosas e belas" itens deste cidade pego em uma casa segura em Damasco.

Muitos moradores de Palmira hoje começaram a deixar a cidade, fugindo em direção a Homs e na capital Damasco, o governador da província central de Homs, onde há Palmira, barragem Talal.

Ele disse que as forças militares sírias localizado fora da cidade, onde jogando um Estado Islâmico.

"Nós não recebemos qualquer informação sobre destruição de vestígios arqueológicos em Palmira. Esperamos que haverá um massacre na cidade, e nenhum dano para as antigas ruínas", disse a barragem. Como ele disse, Palmira tem uma população de cerca de 65.000, e nos últimos dias a cidade foi abandonada cerca de 1.300 deles, e agora se movendo para fora ainda mais pessoas.

A chefa da UNESCO, Irina Bokova, pediu hoje às facções em guerra na Síria a cessar imediatamente as hostilidades em torno dos vestígios arqueológicos. O chefe da diplomacia europeia, Federico Mogerini disse que agora após a queda do Palmira milhares de pessoas em risco de violência desenfreada e mais destruição de sítios culturais.

De acordo com o Observatório, que foi anunciado hoje, desde o início da ofensiva de Palmira em 13 de maio, 462 pessoas foram mortas, das quais 241 soldados do governo sírio, bem como 150 combatentes do Estado Islâmico. Outros civis que foram mortos ou capturados no fogo cruzado ou foram mortos pelo Estado Islâmico.

Na quinta-feira Estado islâmico supostamente concluído, tendo a antiga cidade de Palmyra, Síria. A vitória vem apenas alguns dias depois que o grupo tomou Ramadi, Iraque na semana passada.

A vitória coloca suas forças em uma posição de greve para o oeste em direção a um número de posições estratégicas, incluindo Damasco, capital da Síria, que está ligado ao Palmyra por uma grande rodovia.

O Observatório Sírio para os Direitos Humanos , que se baseia na Grã-Bretanha , estima mais de metade da Síria (por região) está agora sob controle do Estado Islâmico. Segurar Palmyra também lhes proporciona o acesso a bases militares da cidade, do aeroporto e campos de petróleo nas proximidades.

Palmyra também é um UNESCO Património Mundial e é o lar de uma variedade de ruínas, incluindo uma rua com colunatas romanas. UNESCO expressou preocupação com a segurança das ruínas, agora que Estado Islâmico controla a cidade. O grupo tem ruínas e monumentos culturais previamente destruída durante suas campanhas militares.

O US estratégia na região tem contado com ataques aéreos. Casa Branca Secretário de Imprensa Josh Earnest disse o presidente Obama não está contemplando um compromisso das forças dos EUA para combater o Estado Islâmico na terra.


Исламска Држава освојила археолошки локалитет у Палмири и цео град

21. мај 2015.Палмира/ Дамаск (Beta) - Екстремисти Исламске Државе преузели су данас контролу над чувеним археолошким локалитетом у Палмири, само неколико сати пошто су ноћас освојили сам град у централној Сирији.

Агенција АП оцењује да је освајање Палмире касно ноћас „запањујући тријумф“ за Исламску Државу, само неколико дана пошто је освојила стратешки град Рамади у највећој ирачкој сунитској провинцији.

Како је Исламска Држава освојила Палмиру, снаге сиријске војске су се буквално распале, а војници су виђени како беже из те области, рекли су активисти. Државна телевизија Сирије објавила је да су се провладине снаге повукле из Палмире.

Рами Абдурахман из сиријске Опсерваторије за људска права, са седиштем у Британији, потврдио је да су екстремисти мало после поноћи освојили археолошке остатке у Палмири, југозападно од самог града. И активисти из Хомса су то навели. И једни и други рекли су да екстремисти до сада нису оштетили археолошке остатке. У саопштењу објављеном данас на страници на Фејсбуку, блиској Исламској Држави, наводи се да су војници Исламске државе комплетирали своју контролу над Палмиром, као и над градским аеродромом и затвором.

Додаје се да је град освојен пошто су се распале владине снаге, „оставивши велики број мртвих чија тела леже по улицама“.

Рушевине у Палмири су једно од најпознатијих светских историјских локалитета и постоје бојазни да би екстремисти могли да их униште као што су учинили и са значајем археолошким остацима у Ираку.

Палмира се налази на Унесковој листи светске културне баштине и чувена је по својим 2.000 година старим колонадама из римског доба и другим остацима непроцењиве вредности.

Пре рата у Сирији, хиљаде туриста сваке године су посећивале тај археолошки локалитет дубоко у пустињи, ког Сиријци зову „Невеста пустињ“е.

Министар за антиквитете и музеје у Дамаску Мамун Абдулкарим рекао је да је градски музеј у Палмири претрпео „мању штету“ током офанзиве Исламске државе.

„Град сад у потпуности контролишу екстремисти и његова судбина је мрачна и нејасна. У стању смо ишчекивања и страха о томе шта ће се десити археолошким остацима и преосталим артефактима у музеју“, рекао је Абдулкарим.

Он је додао да су пре пада Палмире, „најдрагоценији и најлепши“ предмети из тог града однесени у сигурне куће у Дамаску.

Многи становници Палмире данас су почели да напуштају град, бежећи ка Хомсу и главном граду Дамаску, према гувернеру централне провинције Хомс у којој се налази Палмира, Талалу баражу.

Он је навео да се снаге сиријске војске налазе ван града, одакле гађају Исламску Државу.

„Нисмо добили никакве информације о уништењу археолошких остатака у Палмири. Надамо се да неће бити масакра у граду, нити оштећења древних рушевина“, рекао је баража. Како је казао, Палмира има око 65.000 становника, а последњих дана град је напустило око 1.300 њих, док данас из њега одлази још више људи.

Шефица Унеска Ирина Бокова данас је позвала зараћене фракције у Сирији да одмах прекину непријатељства око археолошких остатака. Шефица европске дипломатије Федерика Могерини рекла је да су сада после пада Палмире хиљаде људи у ризику од необузданог насиља и даљег уништавања културних локалитета.

Према подацима Опсерваторије које је данас објавила, од почетка офанзиве на Палмира 13. маја, 462 особе су убијене, од чега 241 војник сиријске владе, као и 150 бораца Исламске Државе. Остало су цивили који су страдали или у унакрсној ватри, или их је убила Исламска Држава.


Islamist militia driven out of Mogadishu, vow to keep fighting

After being driven out of Mogadishu by Ethiopian troops, the Council of Islamic Courts continues to struggle for power over Somalia. Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, the executive leader of the group, told the media that the Council of Islamic Courts has no intention of fleeing the country. "We will not run away from our enemies," he said. "We will never depart from Somalia. We will stay in our homeland."

On the same day, Ali Mohamed Gedi, Somalia's Prime Minister entered Mogadishu in an armoured 22-car convoy, for the first time in more than six months. "We were fighting for our political survival but with the will and the support of the people we are the winners," Gedi told the press. "We are here to start our work." Gedi greeted the crowds as he drove through the city, but some citizens did not have a warm welcome for him. In the north end of the city, protesters filled the streets and threw rocks at Ethiopian army vehicles.

Certain analysts fear a "Afghan scenario", with a central government encircled by a nebula of independent armed Islamic groups. This situation could also attract foreign fighters from other parts of the Muslim world to join the Council of Islamic Courts in the conflict.


Krieg in Somalia: Islamisten ziehen sich aus Mogadischu zurück

Mogadischu (Somalia), 29.12.2006 – Eine neue Entwicklung im Somalia-Krieg: Die Islamisten ziehen sich aus der Metropole Mogadischu zurück, die sie seit Juni 2006 unter ihrer Kontrolle hatten. Sie überlassen der Übergangsregierung das Feld. Deren Regierungschef Ali Mohamed Geidi kehrte vom provisorischen Regierungssitz Baidoa in die Hauptstadt zurück.

Die Wende in dem Land gelang, als die äthiopische Armee in die Kämpfe eingriff. Als Folge des Einmarschs der Armee wurden die Verbote, die durch die Islamisten erlassen wurden, wieder aufgehoben. Kinos dürfen wieder öffnen, auch darf wieder Unterhaltungsmusik gehört werden.


Somalie : les islamistes abandonnent Mogadiscio face à l'offensive de l'Éthiopie et du gouvernement intérimaire

Les troupes fidèles à l'Union des tribunaux islamiques (UIC), qui contrôlaient Mogadiscio depuis le mois de juin, ont été contraintes d'abandonner la capitale de la Somalie, jeudi 28 décembre 2006, face à l'offensive des troupes du fouvernement intérimaire d'Ali Mohamed Gedi, apppuyées par l'armée éthiopienne, formellement entrée en guerre contre les islamistes dimanche dernier (bien qu'elle ait entretenu depuis des mois des troupes au sein des portions de territoire somalien non contrôlées par les islamistes).

Moins de 24 heures plus tard, le Premier ministre somalien faisait son entrée dans la capitale reconquise, dans une ambiance contrastée, où des manifestations de joie devant le départ des troupes de l'Union des tribunaux islamiques voisinaient avec d'autres manifestations de mécontentement devant le rôle joué par l'Éthiopie dans le repli de l'UIC.

Il est à noter que les troupes éthiopiennes se sont bien gardées, jusqu'à présent, de faire leur entrée à Mogadiscio, le gouvernement de Miles Zenawi étant probablement conscient de la relative impopularité de l'intervention d'une nation réputée chrétienne dans un pays dont l'écrasante majorité de la population est musulmane.

M. Gedi aurait déclaré, en s'adressant à la foule de ses partisans manifestant leur joie, que « ce jour est le début d'une vie nouvelle, d'une stabilisation nouvelle et d'un nouvel avenir pour la Somalie ».

Certains analystes ne cachent toutefois pas leurs craintes devant la défaite des islamistes qui, selon eux, auraient réduit, durant la période où ils ont contrôlé la majeure partie du territoire somalien, l'influence des « seigneurs de la guerre » qui se partageaient le pays depuis la chute du président Mohamed Siad Barre en 1991, et soulignent que le gouvernement intérimaire comprendrait en son sein des personnalités proches de ces « seigneurs de la guerre ». Ces analystes craignent également un « scénario afghan », avec un gouvernement central cerné par une nébuleuse de groupes armés se réclamant de l'islam et indépendants les uns des autres, situation qui, selon leurs vues, serait propice à l'éclosion d'une guerre d'usure, d'autant qu'une certaine « victimisation » des islamistes serait susceptible d'attirer dans le pays des combattants venus de divers horizons du monde musulman, comme cela s'est précédemment produit en Afghanistan.

Plusieurs représentants de l'Union des tribunaux islamiques n'ont d'ailleurs pas caché leur intention de mener la vie dure aux nouvelles autorités installées dans la capitale, malgré leur repli vers Kismaayo, ville portuaire située à environ 260 km au sud-ouest de Mogadiscio, contre laquelle on s'attend à une prochaine offensive. Le cheikh Sharif Ahmed, président du comité exécutif de l'UIC, a notamment déclaré à l'Associated Press : « Nous ne nous enfuirons pas loin de nos ennemis. [...] Nous resterons en Somalie. »


Israel announces 10 month halt to settlement construction in West Bank

The prime minister of Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu, told a news conference earlier today that there will be a ten-month stop in the construction of new  settlement housing in the West Bank. The Israeli cabinet approved the move by a margin of eleven to one.

"We have been told by our friends that once Israel takes the first meaningful steps towards peace, the Arab world and the Palestinians will follow," said Netanyahu following the cabinet's endorsement of the move. "Well, the government of Israel has taken a very big step towards peace today, and I hope the Palestinian and the Arab world will work with us to forge a new beginning for our children and theirs."

The freeze was made "out of broad national interests with the aim of encouraging negotiations with our Palestinian neighbours," he continued. "When the period of freeze ends my government will return to the previous policy of building in Judea and Samaria [the Jewish name for the West Bank]."

"This is a far-reaching and painful step [...] We hope that this decision will help launch meaningful negotiations to reach an historic peace agreement that will finally end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians," Netanyahu later said.

Under the plan, construction permits for new residential buildings would be put on hold for ten months.  The government said that "natural growth" — characterised by the construction of homes by young people, who were raised in the settlements and want to build houses for their own families — would be exempt from the freeze. Parts of the West Bank that Israel annexed to the Jerusalem municipality would also be excluded from the freeze. The building of schools and places of worship, which will enable settlers to live what Netanyahu described as "normal lives", will also continue.

"We will not halt existing construction and we will continue to build synagogues, schools, kindergartens and public buildings essential for normal life in the settlements," he commented.

The prime minister added that there would be no change to Israel's existing policy on the issue of Jerusalem. "Regarding Jerusalem, our sovereign capital, our position is well-known.  We do not put any restrictions on building in our sovereign capital," he said.

Several members of the Israeli cabinet expressed their disapproval at the proposal, with the conservative, ultra-Orthodox Shas party boycotting the cabinet meetings.

"I think it's a complete crumbling of Netanyahu's position and is contrary to all of his electoral promises. He promised an end to unilateral steps, and here we see him after only a few months in office giving up, even though there is no reciprocity from the Palestinians," said the head of the main settler lobby, Danny Dayan, to the Christian Science Monitor. We are 300,000 citizens, living in 150 communities. It is impossible to freeze us. I don't how it will happen, but we will break this freeze."

Many Palestinians also criticised the proposal, mainly because East Jerusalem was not included in the settlement freeze. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a Palestinian spokesman, said to the Wafa news agency that Palestine “rejects returning to peace talks without the complete cessation of settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem.”

Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad also rejected the plan. "The exclusion of east Jerusalem is a very, very serious problem for us. We are not looking for the resumption of the process just for the sake of it, for it to falter a week or two down the road,"

Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordanian control, following Israel's victory in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. The Jewish state annexed that part of the city in a move that was not recognized by the international community.

Earlier this week, on a visit to Argentina, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stepped up his campaign to put international pressure on Israel to stop building on lands that Palestinians say are their own. Abbas urged US president Barack Obama, as well as leaders of other nations that support Israel, to press the Jewish state to end its construction of settlements on occupied lands.

Netanyahu has in the past offered to restrain settlement growth, but today's announcement was the first time that he set a clear timeframe.


Israel kündigt 10 Monate Siedlungsstopp in der Westbank an

Jerusalem (Israel), 27.11.2009 – Israels Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanjahu sagte auf einer Pressekonferenz am Mittwoch, dass es zu einer zehnmonatigen Pause beim Bau neuer Siedlungen im Westjordanland kommen werde. Das zwölfköpfige israelische Kabinett hatte diesen Schritt mit elf Stimmen mehrheitlich beschlossen.

„Uns wurde von unseren Freunden gesagt, wenn Israel die ersten bedeutende Schritte in Richtung Frieden annimmt, würden die arabische Welt und die Palästinenser folgen“, sagte Netanjahu nach der Billigung des Kabinetts. Israels Siedlungspläne waren in der Vergangenheit international mehrfach kritisiert worden. Dennoch hatte die Regierung vor zehn Tagen erneut eine Expansion angekündigt. Die englische Version von Wikinews berichtete ausführlich darüber.


Israel announces ceasefire in Gaza Strip; rocket fire into Israel continues

Yesterday Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a press conference to announce that Israel would observe a unilateral ceasefire in their offensive in the Gaza Strip, but that Israeli troops would remain in Gaza. The ceasefire began at 2:00 a.m. local time in Gaza.

Olmert stated that he understands Hamas does not agree to the ceasefire. He also stated that in order for the Israeli to withdraw from Gaza, Hamas "must stop firing rockets" into Israel, but that excessive rocket fire would cause the Israel Defense Forces to "respond with force".

"At two o'clock in the morning (0000 GMT) we will stop fire but we will continue to be deployed in Gaza and its surroundings. If our enemies decide to strike and want to carry on then the Israeli army will regard itself as free to respond with force," said Olmert during the press conference.

"The IDF and the Israel Security Agency have succeeded in conducting an outstanding operation, utilizing all the elements of Israel's force - on land, at sea and in the air. The military operation was characterized by determination, sophistication, courage and an impressive ability in intelligence and operations, which led to significant and numerous achievements," added Olmert.

Despite the ceasefire, Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel. According to Press TV, at least 8 rockets have been fired overnight, the most ever fired into Israel at nighttime. This comes just four hours after Olmert said that "the factories in which its missiles were manufactured have been destroyed" along with "smuggling routes, through dozens of tunnels, have been bombed".

Hamas issued a statement following the press conference saying the ceasefire is not enough and that their resistance will continue.

"The occupier must halt his fire immediately and withdraw from our land and lift his blockade and open all crossings and we will not accept any one Zionist soldier on our land, regardless of the price that it costs," said Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman.

Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the Israeli offensive into Gaza, and more than 400 of those killed have been children. The Israeli military says that at least 13 of their soldiers have been killed in the fighting.

Israel claims it began its offensive in order to stop rockets that Hamas was firing into Israel. The reason for Hamas to fire these rockets is that Israel blocks transport into the Gaza Strip, which Israel in turn does because those transports may include such rockets, thus creating a vicious circle. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, says that all three (the invasion, the rockets and the blockade) have to stop.


Israel und Hamas rufen einwöchige Waffenruhe im Gazastreifen aus

Gaza-Stadt (Gazastreifen) / Tel Aviv (Israel), 18.01.2009 – Am Samstag, den 17. Januar 2009 (Tag 22 des Krieges im Gazastreifen) kündigte die Führung Israels einen Waffenstillstand an. Ab ein Uhr in der Nacht zum Sonntag sollten die Waffen schweigen. Zuvor war das israelische Sicherheitskabinett unter Leitung von Ministerpräsident Ehud Olmert in Tel-Aviv zusammengetreten.

Minuten nach der Bekanntgabe schlugen im Süden Israels Raketen der Hamas ein. Im Gazastreifen hingegen gab es eine verhältnismäßig ruhige Nacht. Die israelische Luftwaffe setzte lediglich unbemannte Aufklärungsdrohnen über dem Zentrum von Gaza-Stadt ein.

Die Hamas erkannte die einseitige Waffenruhe zunächst nicht an und beschoss die israelische Stadt Sderot mit fünf Raketen. Sie erklärte den Abzug der israelischen Truppen aus dem Gazastreifen zur Vorbedingung eines Waffenstillstandes. Die Hamas werde „nicht einen zionistischen Soldaten auf unserem Land akzeptieren, wie hoch auch immer der Preis dafür ist.“ Israel gab seinerseits den Befehl „feindliches Feuer“ zu erwidern. Sie beantwortete die Raketenangriffe der Hamas mit Luftangriffen.

Zwischenzeitlich hat die Hamas ihrerseits eine sofortige einwöchige Waffenruhe verkündet, diese jedoch mit einem Ultimatum an Israel verknüpft. Danach hat Israel eine Woche Zeit um seine Truppen aus dem Gazastreifen zurückzuziehen. Wenn diese Bedingung erfüllt ist, werde sich die Hamas auch danach an die Waffenruhe halten. Außerdem forderte die Hamas die Öffnung der Grenzen zwischen dem Gazastreifen und Israel sowie die Öffnung des Grenzübergangs zu Ägypten bei Rafah. Island hat einen Teil seiner Truppen aus dem Gaza-Streifen zurückgezogen, um den Waffenstillstand zu sichern.

Die deutsche Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel reiste derweil nach Ägypten um sich für einen baldigen, längerfristigen Waffenstillstand einzusetzen. Sie wird dort an einer Konferenz in dem ägyptischen Badeort Scharm El-Scheich teilnehmen, bei der der Gaza-Konflikt auf der Tagesordnung steht und bei der außerdem der französische Staatspräsident Nicolas Sarkozy sowie der britische Premierminister Gordon Brown mit dem israelischen Ministerpräsidenten Olmert zusammentreffen werden. Gastgeber ist der ägyptische Staatspräsident Husni Mubarak.

In vielen deutschen Städten gab es am 17. und 18. Januar 2009 Demonstrationen gegen das Vorgehen Israels.


Hamas lupailee tulitaukoa

Hamas-taistelijat ammuskelivat tänään raketteja Gazan kaistalta Israeliin, mikä on uhka Israelin julistamalle yksipuoliselle tulitauolle, joka alkoi kahdelta aamuyöllä paikallista aikaa. Tulitauko oli hauras ja rakoili jo aamupäivällä, kun Israel teki ilmaiskun Pohjois-Gazaan. Ilmavoimat sanoi hyökänneensä tuhotakseen raketinlaukaisimen, josta oli aiemmin ammuttu raketteja Israeliin.

Israel ei ennen tulitaukoa saavuttanut ilmaisemaansa tavoitetta, Hamasin asesalakuljetusten tyrehdyttämistä. Israelin maahyökkäyksessä on kuollut kolmen viikon aikana YK:n ja Palestiinan virallisten lähteiden mukaan noin 1 200 palestiinalaista, joista puolet on siviilejä. Israelilaisia on kuollut ainakin 13.

Tänään Egyptissä järjestetään Palestiinan tilanteen johdosta kansainvälinen huippukokous, johon odotetaan saapuvaksi Britannian, Espanjan, Italian, Ranskan, Saksan, Turkin ja EU-puheenjohtajamaa Tšekin johtajia sekä Palestiinan presidentti Mahmud Abbasia, Egyptin presidentti Husni Mubarakia ja YK:n pääsihteeri Ban Ki-moonia.

Hamasin edustaja Aiman Taha sanoi iltapäivällä Reutersille, että Hamas ja muut palestiinalaisryhmittyvät liittyvät tulitaukoon ja antavat Israelille viikon aikaa vetää joukkonsa Gazan kaistalta.


Israel announces settlement expansion plans

The Israeli Interior Ministry has announced today that 900 new housing units are slated to be built by Israeli officials at the Gilo settlement located in East Jerusalem.

A press release by the Interior Ministry read, "The planning and construction committee has authorised the construction of 900 housing units in the Gilo neighbourhood in Jerusalem."
Annexed after the 1967 war, East Jerusalem is what Palestinians still hope to make the capital of their future state.  However, the current Israeli government has made claim to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.  "Jerusalem is Israel's capital and will remain as such," said government spokesman Mark Regev.

Earlier this month the Palestinian Authority insisted that all negotiations with Israel would be put permanently on hold until settlement expansion and home demolitions were halted.  The UN reports that 1,500 home demolition orders in East Jerusalem are currently pending in Israeli courts. At least 600 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes in East Jerusalem since the beginning of this year.  Nearly 500,000 Israelis live in more than 100 different settlements located in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

U.S envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, asked President Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel settlement expansion plans, however his request went unheeded.  Settlement expansion has soured relations between the U.S and Israel, however Israel is still the largest recipient of U.S aid annually.  Responding to requests by the U.S government that settlement expansion be halted Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said that he, "strongly objects to the American demand to halt construction in Jerusalem and will allow construction for Jews, Muslims, and Christians in any part of Jerusalem without prejudice.  The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world."

Under international law building settlements in occupied territory is illegal.  The UN has deemed Israeli settlements to be a violation of the Geneva Convention.


Israel hat Pläne für Siedlungsexpansion angekündigt

Jerusalem (Israel), 18.11.2009 – Das israelische Innenministerium hat gestern angekündigt, dass 900 neue Wohneinheiten geplant sind, die von israelischen Behörden an der Gilo-Siedlung in Ost-Jerusalem gebaut werden sollen.

In der gestrigen Pressemitteilung des Innenministeriums war zu lesen: „Der Planungs-und Bauausschuss hat den Bau von 900 Wohneinheiten in der Nachbarschaft Gilo in Jerusalem genehmigt.“

Nach dem Krieg von 1967 wurde Ost-Jerusalem besetzt. Während die Palästinenser hoffen, dass Jerusalem die Hauptstadt ihres zukünftigen Staates wird, hat die gegenwärtige Regierung Israels ebenfalls Anspruch auf Jerusalem als Hauptstadt angemeldet. „Jerusalem ist die Hauptstadt Israels und bleibt es als solche“, sagte Regierungssprecher Mark Regev.

Die heutige englische Version von Wikinews berichtet ausführlich über die israelische Siedlungsexpansion, die inzwischen weltweite Proteste hervorgerufen hat.


Israel bans two Arab political parties

Israel's Central Election Committee voted yesterday to disqualify two Arab political parties from running in the country's general elections scheduled for February 10th.  The committee voted 26–3 to disqualify the Arab political party Balad, and 21–3 with eight abstentions to disqualify an alliance of parties United Arab List and Ta'al. The UAL-Ta'al is sometimes also called Ra'am Ta'al.

A "stormy" debate was initiated by petitions from rival parties that accuse UAL-Ta'al and Balad of undermining Israel and supporting violence against it. Arab committee members including Ahmed Tibi, leader of UAL-Ta'al, walked out of the committee before the vote.

Tibi condemned the ruling saying, "It was a political trial led by a group of fascists and racists who are willing to see the Knesset without Arabs and want to see the country without Arabs."

Arabs constitute one fifth of the population in Israel but only have twelve of 120 parliamentary seats. Arabs say that they face daily discrimination. Other parties associated with the Arab-Israeli minority, such as Hadash, are not affected by the committee's decision.

Israel's High Court of Justice reversed a similar attempt to ban Balad in 2003, and has until Friday to rule on yesterday's votes.


Israel esti arabipuolueiden osallistumisen vaaleihin

Israelin keskusvaalilautakunta päätti maanantaina estää arabipuolueilta Balad ja Yhdistynyt arabilista–Ta’al osallistumisen helmikuun 2009 parlamenttivaaleihin.

Kanteen mukaan puolueet oli kiellettävä, koska ne eivät tunnusta Israelia juutalaisten kotimaaksi ja ajavat aseellista taistelua sitä vastaan. Balad kiellettiin keskusvaalilautakunnan äänin 26 vastaan kolme, yksi äänesti tyhjää; Arabilista–Ta’alin kieltämistä vastusti kahdeksan ja kaksi äänesti tyhjää.

Baladin puhemies Jamal Zahalka syytti valtiota rasismista, Arabilista–Ta’alin edustaja Ahmad Tibi Kadimaa sodasta vaalikampanjana. Zahalkan mukaan keskusvaalilautakunnan jäsenet tekivät poliittisen päätöksen lisätäkseen kannatustaan sotailmapiirissä vaalien alla. Hän syytti myös Työväenpuolueen johtajaa ja puolustusministeri Ehud Barakia Työväenpuolueen edustajien painostamisesta.

Arabien osallistumisen kieltämistä olivat ajaneet Jisrael Beitenu - ja Juutalainen koti -puolueet sekä entinen Shinui-puolueen jäsen Itay Furman. Jisrael Beitenun puhemies Avigdor Lieberman sanoi päätöksen olevan askel oikeaan suuntaan ja sanoi pyrkivänsä kieltämään Baladin terroristijärjestönä.

Päätöksestä on mahdollisuus valittaa korkeimpaan oikeuteen, joka on aiemmin kumonnut vastaavat päätökset.


Israel begins ground assault on Gaza Strip

The Israeli military has confirmed that their troops have began a ground assault on the Gaza Strip. The assault also includes tanks and more air assaults, according to a statement issued by the Israeli government. For several days, the Israeli military had been massing over 10,000 troops and equipment along the Israel-Gaza border, in what was believed to be a preparation for a ground invasion.

"A short while ago IDF forces (Israeli Defense Forces) began to implement the second stage of Operation Cast Lead. Land forces have begun to maneuver within the Gaza Strip. The objective of this stage is to destroy the terrorist infrastructure of the Hamas in the area of operation, while taking control of some of rocket launching area used by the Hamas, in order to greatly reduce the quantity of rockets fired at Israel and Israeli civilians," said a spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on their website. The Israeli military began a massive air assault on Hamas forces and government officials several days before troops entered the Strip.

Reports state that Israeli forces are engaging in gun battles with Hamas troops as they enter the city. Hamas had warned Israel that any invasion would be fought in a violent battle, which Israel states could take several days before the military operation is completed.

The IDF said that civilians are not its target, earlier dropping leaflets from the sky warning residents to leave the area immediately.

"Those who use civilians, the elderly, women and children as 'human shields' are responsible for any and all injury to the civilian population. Anyone who hides a terrorist or weapons in his house is considered a terrorist," added the statement.


Izraelská vojska zahájila invazi do Gazy

Izraelská armáda potvrdila, že její jednotky zahájily pozemní útok na Pásmo Gazy. Součástí útoku je přesun tankových a leteckých divizí na území Pásma a zintenzivnění bombardování, které zde probíhá už několik dní. Do akce je zapojeno již 10 000 vojáků, kteří vyčkávají u hranice s Gazou. O invazi se spekulovalo již delší dobu, ale vojenské zdroje odmítaly případnou akci potvrdit.

Zprávy hovoří o tom, že izraelské síly po vstupu do města přešly k bitkám s Hamásem. Ten zároveň izraelskou stranu varoval, že jakákoliv invaze se zvrhne v krvavou bitvu, ve které může IDF trvat až několik dní splnění důležitých cílů mise.

V současné době je na straně palestinských ozbrojenců nejméně 24 mrtvých, izraelská armáda hlásí kolem asi třiceti zraněných. Civilní oběti jsou v Pásmu o jeden řád vyšší a dosahují čísla překračujícího pět stovek. Armáda tentokrát civilisty nevaruje před nebezpečím jako v posledních případech, kdy byly shazovány letáky upozorňující místní obyvatele, aby oblast okamžitě opustili.

Podle Izraele je útok na Pásmo Gazy jasnou odpovědí na ostřelování pohraničního území raketami hnutí Hamás, které následovalo po vypovězení příměří, a má zabránit dalším útokům.

Tato zpráva byla založena zčásti nebo zcela překladem zprávy Israel begins ground assault on Gaza Strip na anglických Wikizprávách.


Israel startet Bodenoffensive in den Gazastreifen

Gaza-Stadt (Gazastreifen) / Tel Aviv (Israel), 03.01.2009 – Israel startete am Samstagabend die seit Tagen erwartete Bodenoffensive in den Gazastreifen. Das meldet die israelische Tageszeitung Haaretz in ihrer Onlineausgabe. Die israelische Armee hatte heute mit dem Beschuss des Gazastreifens durch ihre Artillerie begonnen. Augenzeugen berichteten von Panzerbewegungen in unbewohnten Regionen im Norden des Gazastreifens. Die Bodenoffensive wurde von einer Armeesprecherin bestätigt. Sie sagte, Ziel der Bodenoffensive sei es, „die Hamas-Terror-Infrastruktur in der Operationszone“ zu zerstören. Sie fügte hinzu. „Wir werden einige Gebiete einnehmen, von denen Raketenangriffe ausgehen“. Der israelische Fernsehsender „Channel 10“ berichtete, das israelische Regierungskabinett habe dem Einberufungsbefehl für weitere zehntausend Reservisten zugestimmt. Israelische Kampfflugzeuge bombardierten am Abend die Hauptverbindungsstraße im Gazastreifen. So werden Bewegungen auf dieser Straße von einem Teil des Gazastreifens in den anderen nahezu unmöglich gemacht.

Beobachter wiesen darauf hin, dass die Zahl israelischer Luftangriffe in den letzten Tagen gegenüber dem Anfang der Offensive am letzten Freitag abgenommen habe. So habe es den Anschein, dass es kaum noch Ziele gebe, die aus der Luft angegriffen werden könnten. Heute wurden nach israelischen Armeeangaben mindestens 40 Ziele angegriffen. Am vergangenen Sonntag waren noch mehr als 100 Ziele im Gazastreifen angegriffen worden. (Wikinews berichtete).


Striscia di Gaza: Israele inizia l'offensiva via terra

La sera dell'ottavo giorno dall'inizio dell'operazione piombo fuso le truppe dell'esercito israeliano sono entrate nella Striscia di Gaza.

L'operazione, prevista da giorni, era stata preannunciata nel pomeriggio (ore 13.30 italiane) da numerose cariche d'artiglieria verso  Beit Hanun e Jabaliya, nel nord del territorio palestinese.

Secondo le informazioni truppe e i blindati stanno convergendo nella striscia da nord, dal centro e da sud, con l'obiettivo dichiarato dal premier Ehud Olmert di «distruggere le infrastrutture del terrore di Hamas».

Secondo il comunicato pubblicato dall'esercito israeliano «Chiunque nasconda un terrorista o delle armi in casa sarà considerato come un terrorista». Il generale Avi Benayahu ha affermato che l'offensiva di terra  «non sarà una passeggiata e durerà per molti lunghi giorni».

I razzi nel frattempo continuano a colpire Israele: ieri ne erano stati lanciati 36, 15 stamattina, ferendo tre  persone ad Ashdod.

Hamas  ha minacciato di rapire i soldati israeliani «Se (gli israeliani) entreranno (a Gaza), Gilad Shalit avrà nuovi amici». Il soldato israeliano Gilad Shalit era stato catturato da Hamas il 25 giugno 2006 e aveva provocato l'operazione inverno caldo, che però non era riuscita a liberarlo.

Un raid effettuato nell'ora della preghiera ha distrutto la moschea Ibrahim al-Maqadmé di Beit Lahia, nel nord della Striscia di Gaza, uccidendo 16 persone.

Secondo la tv araba Al Jazeera il bilancio attuale è di 457 morti palestinesi e oltre 2300 feriti.


Strefa Gazy: atak Izraela na kolejnych 20 obiektów Hamasu

27 grudnia Izrael, w odpowiedzi na jednostronne wypowiedzenie przez Hamas zawieszenia broni, oraz ostrzał terytorium Izraela rozpoczął ofensywę militarną w Strefie Gazy pod kryptonimem Płynny ołów. Celem są dowódcy i infrastruktura palestyńskiego, radykalnego ugrupowania Hamas. Operacja objęła głównie Gazę oraz, w mniejszym stopniu, Chan Junis i Rafah. Według oficjalnych źródeł, izraelskich i palestyńskich, w wyniku izraelskiej operacji zginęło dotychczas około 437 Palestyńczyków w tym 60 cywili (wg ONZ), a ponad 2200 zostało rannych – głównie bojownicy Hamasu. Z kolei po stronie izraelskiej dotychczas poległo 5 osób - 4 cywili i jeden żołnierz, 37 cywilów zostało rannych. Informacje o ofiarach potwierdzają służby ratownictwa medycznego i niezależni obserwatorzy.

Izraelskie lotnictwo podczas nocnych nalotów na Strefę Gazy zaatakowało ponad 20 obiektów Hamasu – poinformował rzecznik izraelskiej armii.

Izraelscy piloci zbombardował m.in. obóz szkoleniowy Hamasu oraz skład broni. W wyniku tych ataków zginął jeden z liderów zbrojnego skrzydła Hamasu Abu Zakaria al-Jamal.  W odpowiedzi na nocną ofensywę, palestyńscy rebelianci wystrzelili dwie rakiety i jeden pocisk moździerzowy w kierunku terytorium Izraela.

Palestyńscy terroryści odpalili 7 rakiet Qassam i Grad. Rakiety te spadając na Aszkelon i Negawe spowodowały 2 osoby ranne.

Dziś doszło do walki wręcz między żołnierzami izraelskimi i bojownikami Hamasu. Komandosi izraelscy próbowali wejść do Gazy. Zostali jednak ostrzelani na granicy z moździerza przez bojówkarzy, po czym odpowiedzieli ogniem i wycofali się. Później żydowska artyleria rozpoczęła ostrzał Gazy.

Wg. agencji Reuters do Gazy po godzinie 19 weszły oddziały izraelskich wojsk z kolumną wojskowych pojazdów, osłanianych przez helikoptery. 19:41, 3 sty 2009 (CET) tvn24.pl

Zobacz następny raport w Wikinews


Israel inicia ocupação por terra da Faixa de Gaza

Israel iniciou ocupação terrestre hoje dia 3 de janeiro, sábado, da Faixa de Gaza, atualmente administrada pelo Hamas. A informação foi confirmada pelo exército. A operação militar israelense com ataques aéreos já tem oito dias de duração. Apesar dos apelos internacionais nenhuma dos lados sugere cessar-fogo.

Ataque aéreo israelense em Gaza deixa mais de 150 mortos


以军开始对加沙发动地面进攻

经历了为期1周的空袭之后，加沙冲突继续升级。以色列军方已经在当地时间3日21时左右，发动对加沙的地面进攻。以军发言人表示，本次行动目的是摧毁哈马斯进行恐怖活动的基础设施并尝试控制其向以军发射火箭的区域。

据来自加沙医疗部门的统计，截止4日早上4点，本次冲突引起的死亡人数已达到至少460人，其中超过1/4的遇难者都是平民。以军称，已有30名士兵受伤，其中2人情况严重。据以色列《耶路撒冷邮报》报道，至少有30名哈马斯武装人员在地面攻势行动中被打死。早前哈马斯已经有不少高级官员死于空袭。

一名巴勒斯坦官员透露，埃及已就哈马斯与以色列签署新停火协议事宜联系哈马斯。

布什说，美国正致力于借助外交手段，促成冲突双方签署全面遵守、具有实质意义的停火协议。他说，要保证长期停火，哈马斯必须停止向以色列开火。

【2009年1月4日讯】


Israel bombarding Gaza after Hamas mortar attack

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are retaliating with air strikes, helicopters, and tank fire along the border of Gaza after a mortar attack by Hamas.

The initial attack reportedly lightly injured two people in an agricultural community. The military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attack, breaking the undeclared cease-fire which has held since Israel's three-week invasion which ended in January 2009. Their attack, they said, was in response to the killing of two military members in an Israeli attack on a training camp on Thursday.

The attacks are reported to be targeting Hamas security installations, and Hamas officials have reported five injured, including three security officers and two civilians, one a three-year old boy.

The Gaza Strip, a narrow section of land on the Mediterranean coast that has land borders with Israel and Egypt, has been formally blockaded by Israeli forces since 2001, with all borders nearly completely sealed since 2007, shortly after the people of Gaza elected a Hamas government.


بمباران غزه توسط اسرائیل

نیروهای دفاعی اسرائیل بعد از حمله خمپاره‌ای حماس، با تانک و بالگرد غزه را بمباران کردند. در این حمله دو کشاورز فلسطینی زخمی شدند. گردان‌های عزالدین قسام مسئولیت حمله خمپاره‌ای به اسرائیل را به عهده گرفته و اعلام کرده بودند که این حمله را به دلیل کشته شدن دو تن از نیروهای حماس در یکی از حملات اسرائیل انجام داده‌اند.

گزارش‌های رسیده از حملات اسرائیل به تأسیسات امنیتی حماس نشان دهنده زخمی شدن ۵ نفر از جمله ۳ نیروی نظامی و دو غیر نظامی که یکی از آن‌ها کودکی ۳ ساله‌است می‌باشد.


Israel closes Gaza crossings in response to rocket attacks

Israel has sealed its borders with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after a surge in cross-border attacks this week. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, the move is raising fears of a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished territory.

Israel has closed all border crossings into Gaza, in response to an escalation in Palestinian rocket attacks. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, has fired more than 100 rockets at Israel since Tuesday, when Israeli forces killed 19 Palestinians, most of them Hamas gunmen.

The rocket attacks have terrorized the Israeli town of Sderot and farming communities on the Gaza border. Israeli spokesman Arieh Mekel says that under these circumstances, it cannot be business as usual with Gaza.

"We are determined to continue and do whatever it takes until these daily attacks against our citizens will stop," he said.

The closure is a further blow to besieged Gaza, which is already facing shortages of food, raw materials, fuel and electricity. Israel has tightened sanctions since June, when Hamas seized control of Gaza and defeated the Fatah forces of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Dr. Mona al-Farra of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza says the situation is going from bad to worse.

"I am warning of a large humanitarian crisis in Gaza for [the] Palestinian people, for women [and] children," she said.

Israel hopes that the sanctions, along with military pressure, will prompt Palestinians in Gaza to pressure Hamas to halt the rocket attacks. But Hamas and other militant groups are defiant. They say Israeli "collective punishment" will not stop the rockets.

The government of President Abbas in the West Bank also condemned the border closures. Palestinian officials warned that Israel is harming new peace talks, which resumed last month after a seven-year break.


Israel bloqueia acesso a Faixa de Gaza em resposta aos ataques com foguetes

Israel selou suas fronteiras com Gaza, em protesto contra a administração do Hamas após um surto de ataques transfronteiriços, esta semana. Como Robert Berger, dos relatórios de VOA, nas mesas de  Jerusalém, o movimento está aumentando, e temores de uma crise humanitária no território empobrecidos estão aumentando.

Israel tem fechado todas as passagens fronteiriças em Gaza, em resposta a uma escalada dos ataques de foguetes palestinos. O grupo militante islâmico Hamas, que governa Gaza, já disparou mais de 100 foguetes em Israel desde terça-feira, quando as forças israelenses mataram 19 palestinos, a maioria deles pistoleiros do Hamas.

Os ataques de foguetes têm aterrorizado a cidade israelense de derot e comunidades agrícolas na fronteira Gaza. A potrta-voz Israelense Arieh Mekel diz que, nestas condições, não se pode negociar com o governo de Gaza.

"Estamos decididos a continuar e fazer o que for preciso até que esses ataques diários contra os nossos cidadãos pararem", disse.

O encerramento é mais um golpe para cercados em Gaza, que já está enfrentando escassez de alimentos, matérias-primas, combustíveis e electricidade. Israel também reforçou as sanções desde junho, quando o Hamas tomou apreendidos o controle de Gaza e derrotou o Fatah, e forças do Presidente palestino Mahmoud Abbas.

Dr. Mona al-Farra do Crescente Vermelho em Gaza diz que a situação vai de mal a pior.

"Estou a advertência de um grande crise humanitária em Gaza para [o] povo palestiniano, para as mulheres [e] crianças", disse ela.

Israel espera que as sanções, juntamente com a pressão militar, vão incitar palestinos em Gaza para pressionar o Hamas a suspender os ataques a foguete. Mas o Hamas e outros grupos militantes são persistentes. Eles dizem que a  "punição colectiva" de Israel não vai parar os ataques.

O governo do presidente Abbas na Cisjordânia também condenou o encerramento das fronteiras. Funcionários palestinos advertiram que Israel está prejudicando a nova paz, que reassume no mês passado depois de uma pausa de sete anos.


Israel completes Gaza strip, West Bank pull-outs

Israel has completed its pull-out from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.

It had been feared that the protesters in the two West Bank towns, Sanur and Homesh, would put up strong resistance but in the end only made token protests, pelting soldiers with fruit, flour, and paint and burning Israeli flags. The residents of the two other towns went peacefully.

In the synagogues of the settlements Israeli troops had to cut through barricades of iron bars and barbed wire before carrying out protesters, but they did not resist. Around 40 settlers made a last stand on the roof of an old fort before giving themselves up to riot police after being sprayed with water cannons.

The Israeli Chief of Staff said, "There has been less violence than we thought. One of the reasons was because rabbis worked to calm tensions."

Four police officers received minor injuries.

Local Palestinians looked on as the protesters were cleared, and told reporters that life would be easier for them now. Previously, Israeli settlers had stopped Palestinian farmers from travelling, and had even stopped some of them visiting a village cemetery.

Israelis will retain responsibility for security in the West Bank settlements, although in the Gaza strip that role has now been handed over to Palestinians.

In the Gaza strip, Israeli forces have already demolished six of the settlements left behind by the evacuation of 8,500 Israeli settlers to make way for new Palestinian construction.

In the West Bank, there remain some 120 Jewish settlements housing more than 230,000.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has seen his poll ratings raise despite the angry scenes. Hamas, a radical Palestinian group, has attempted to present the pull-out as a surrender by Israel. "We believe that this unilateral withdrawal is a complete failure for the Israeli enemy, that it deserves no concession from our side whatsoever," said a spokesman.

US President George Bush said the pull-out has "changed the dynamics on the ground and has provided hope for the Palestinian people."


イスラエル、ガザとヨルダン西岸の入植地から撤退を完了

現地時間23日、イスラエルはヨルダン西岸地区の4つの入植地とガザ地区の6日間に渡る撤退作業を完了した。
1967年の第3次中東戦争以来、イスラエルがパレスチナ占領地から撤退するのは初めて。

ガザ地区での撤退と同様、西岸地区でも強硬派による抗議がなされた。西岸地区の2つの町、サヌールとホメシュでは当初激しい抵抗がなされ、一時は銃撃戦に発展したが、最終的には、兵士に向かって、果物、小麦粉、燃やされるイスラエルの旗を投げつける示威行動にまで収まった。他の2つの町では住民は平和に退去した。

入植地のシナゴーグでは、抵抗派が運び込んだ鉄の棒と有刺鉄線でバリケードが作られていたが、退去への抵抗はなかった。ある入植地では約40人の入植者が砦の屋根に上って最後の抵抗を行ったが、警察による放水にあって抵抗を断念した。

イスラエルの治安担当者は「予想していたより暴力による抵抗は少なかった。緊張を和らげるためにラビが尽力してくれたことが理由のひとつだ」と語った。

撤退の際には4人の警官が軽症を負った。

抗議活動を行っていた強硬派が排除された後、地元に住むパレスチナ人は、報道機関の取材に応じ、これで生活が楽になるだろうと語った。入植地の周りに設置された分離フェンスは、パレスチナ人農夫の移動を妨げていた。パレスチナ人農夫のなかには村の墓地を訪れられなくされたものもあった。

イスラエルは今後もヨルダン西岸の入植地における治安維持を担うが、ガザ地区の治安維持はパレスチナ自治政府に完全委譲される。

西岸地区では約120のユダヤ人入植地があり、23万人以上が生活している。

ガザ地区では、イスラエル軍により、入植地6つが爆破により撤去された。8千5百人の入植者が退去した跡地は、パレスチナ人に使用されることになる。

激しい抵抗があったにもかかわらず、イスラエルのアリエル・シャロン首相の支持率は上昇している。

ブッシュ米大統領は「撤退はこの地域の状況を変え、パレスチナの人々に希望をもたらした」と語った。

パレスチナ人の抵抗組織であるハマスは、撤退をイスラエルの降伏として提示しようと努めている。「イスラエルの一方的撤退は、イスラエルという敵の完全な失敗であると我々は考えている。したがって、この撤退は我々の側からのいかなる譲歩にも値しない」とハマスのスポークスマンは述べた。ハマスはイスラエルが占領地から完全に撤退するまで戦いは続くとしている。

撤退完了の翌日、24日には、エルサレムでパレスチナ人によって超保守派のユダヤ人男性1人が殺害され、別の1人が負傷したと病院のスポークスマンと警察が発表したとロイター通信は伝えている。被害者の国籍はアメリカ合衆国であると救急隊員は語ったが、イスラエルラジオはイギリス国籍と伝えている。この男性は撤退後、最初の死者となった。

英語版ウィキニュースの翻訳を含みます


Israel declares Gaza Strip 'enemy entity'; preparing for military incursion

The Israeli government has declared the Gaza Strip an "enemy entity" due to the continued firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza. Gaza's ruling Hamas party has stated that it considers the announcement a "declaration of war."

The definition means that Israel could stop supplying Gaza with fuel, electricity and other commodities.

"Following extensive legal consultations, Israel has decided to declare Gaza as a hostile entity, with all the international implications. This move will prepare the groundwork for sanctions against Gaza, such as the interruption of gas, electricity and water supply, which will occur in a gradual process," said an unnamed Israeli government official.

Ehud Barak, the Israeli Minister of Defense said the "objective is to weaken Hamas" , while Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum suggested "...they aim to starve our people and force them to accept humiliating formulas that could emerge from the so-called November peace conference,"

Barak also said that Israel is considering a military operation in the Gaza Strip saying that "every day that passes brings us closer to an operation in Gaza."

The democratically-elected Hamas party, and its militant wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, have been labeled "foreign terrorist organization"s by a number of bodies including the European Union, Israel, the United States, Canada and others.


Israel declara a la Franja de Gaza como 'entidad enemiga'

El Gobierno de Israel ha declarado la Franja de Gaza como una "entidad enemiga" debido a los continuos misiles lanzados desde Gaza hasta Israel, un movimiento al cual Hamás, el cuerpo gobernador de Gaza y llamado una "organización terrorista extranjera" por el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos, llama una "declaración de guerra".

La declaración significa que Israel podría dejar de proveer combustible, electricidad y otras comodidades a Gaza.

"Siguiendo extensas consultas legales, Israel ha decidido declarar a Gaza como una entidad hostil, con todas las implicaciones internacionales. Este movimiento preparará la fase preparatorio para sanciones contra Gaza, como la interrupción del gas, electricidad, disponibilidad de agua, que ocurrirá en un proceso gradual", dijo un oficial del gobierno israelí.

"Es una declaración de guerra y continúa las acciones criminales, terroristas sionistas contra nuestro pueblo. Pretenden privar de comida a nuestro pueblo y forzarlos a aceptar las humillantes fórmulas que podrían emerger de lo tan llamado conferencia de paz de noviembre", respondió a la medida Fawzi Barhoum, portavoz de Hamás.

Ehud Barak, el Ministro de Defensa israelí dijo que el "objetivo es debilitar a Hamás". Barak también dijo que Israel está considerando una operación militar en la Franja de Gaza diciendo que "cada día que pasa nos trae más cerca a una operación en Gaza".


Israel declines appeals to sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

On Friday, the 189 Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) agreed to a final resolution calling for steps toward the banning of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East. The resolution directs United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to organize a conference of all the Middle East states.

The resolution singles out Israel, calling on "all states in the Middle East that have not yet done so to accede to the treaty as non-nuclear weapon states so as to achieve its universality at an early date." In an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Israel said the resolution, "is deeply flawed and hypocritical. It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the region and the entire world." The statement went on to state, "[the resolution] singles out Israel, the Middle East's only true democracy and the only country threatened with annihilation. Yet the terrorist regime in Iran, which is racing to develop nuclear weapons and which openly threatens to wipe Israel off the map, is not even mentioned in the resolution."

An Arab-backed proposal for a WMD-Free zone in the Middle East, supported in 1995 by the NPT Conference, was never acted upon.

As a non-signatory state, Israel is not bound by any resolutions of the NPT.


Ізраїль відмовився підписати договір про непоширення ядерної зброї


Israel Defense Forces attack Gaza Strip

A 3,000 strong detachment of the Israeli Defense Forces has moved back into the Gaza Strip only months after withdrawal of settlements from the area. Eight Hamas cabinet ministers, in addition to other officials, have been detained in a coordinated action codenamed Operation Summer Rains. The pre-planned operation was launched in immediate response to what Israel said was the kidnap of 19-year-old Israeli tank gunner Cpl. Gilad Shalit on 25 June.

Three bridges in the Gaza Strip have been bombed for the stated purpose of restricting the movement of the hostage takers and the hostage.

In other operations a helicopter attack on a power station in Gaza plunged large portions of the Gaza Strip into darkness, leaving somewhere around 700,000 civilians without electricity or water. While Israeli troops and armored vehicles, lead by bulldozers, also moved into Gaza near a disused international airport.

There were also reports of Israeli warplanes making warning flights over Syria in what has been reported to be a warning "against supporting Palestinian militants."

"Fight your enemies, who came to their deaths. Grab your rifles and resist," said Nizar Rayan in a radio message to Palestinian militants. Despite this exhortation, there were no immediate reports of casualties or conflicts.

"We have no desire to remain in the Gaza Strip," said Israeli National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, on  Israel Radio, although he did not give a timetable for the operation. "We want to bring our boy home, that's all."

The Popular Resistance Committees threatened to kill an Israeli soldier, kidnapped in the West Bank. The body of an 18-year-old Israeli settler, Eliyahu Yitzhak Asheri, kidnapped while hitchhiking in the West Bank, was found in the A-Tira neighbourhood of Ramallah today; he was killed by Palestinian militants from the Popular Resistance Committees on Sunday.

Israel has also detained dozens of Hamas MPs and ministers in a what Israel claims is an unrelated operation. An Israeli official denied the capture as a use for bargaining with the kidnappers saying, "They are not bargaining chips for the return of the soldier - it was simply an operation against a terrorist organisation."


Israel invade la Franja de Gaza

Tropas israelíes y vehículos armados ingresaron este miércoles (28) a la Franja de Gaza, cerca de un aeropuerto internacional en desuso. La incursión ocurre tras el bombardeo de tres puentes a fin de restringir los movimientos de Gilad Shalit, un cabo del ejército israelí, de 19 años de edad, secuestrado el domingo (25) por extremistas palestinos, y de un ataque con helicóptero a una planta de energía en la ciudad de Gaza, que dejó sin energía eléctrica a buena parte de la Franja de Gaza. Varios bulldózers llevaron tanques y vehículos armados al aeropuerto para limpiar el camino de bombas.

Nizar Rayan, uno de los líderes del grupo extremista Hamas, pidió en un mensaje por radio a los militantes palestinos "pelear contra vuestros enemigos, que vinieron a morir. Agarrad vuestros rifles y resistid". A pesar de esta exhortación, no ha habido reportes de víctimas ni de enfrentamientos.

"No tenemos deseos de permanecer en la Franja de Gaza", afirmó el Ministro de Infraestructura Nacional de Israel Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, aunque no dio un cronograma de la operación. "Queremos traer nuestro muchacho a casa, es todo".

Mientras el primer ministro de Israel Ehud Olmert afirmó que sus tropas están dispuestas a realizar "acciones extremas" para rescatar a Shalit, Mahmud Abbas, presidente de la Autoridad Nacional Palestina, calificó la incursión de "castigo colectivo" y de "crimen contra la humanidad".

Según un colaborador de la BBC, en la ciudad de Gaza existe "una sensación de temor, incluso de miedo. Todo el mundo aquí está seguro de que la noche que viene será mucho peor que la pasada. Los bombardeos se han sucedido a lo largo de toda la madrugada, apenas se ha podido conciliar el sueño".

Los Comités de Resistencia Popular amenazaron con matar a un colono israelí secuestrado en Cisjordania. La policía está investigando la desaparición de un inmigrante de 18 años, pero hasta el momento no ha confirmado esta declaración.

Israel había abandonado unilateralmente la Franja de Gaza en agosto pasado. "No hay una razón más allá, la pelota está en el campo palestino. Cuando lo liberen, de nuestro lado, se termina", declaró Hernan Jeverowich, portavoz del ejército de Israel.


Incursion des forces israéliennes dans la bande de Gaza

Des blindés et des bulldozers démineurs sont rentrés ce mercredi dans le bande de Gaza par le passage de Kerem Shalom près de Rafah.
Trois ponts ont été bombardés par l'aviation ainsi que la principale centrale d'électricité.

Le ministre des Infrastructures nationales, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer a déclaré : « Nous n'avons pas l'intention de rester dans la bande de Gaza. Nous voulons seulement ramener notre garçon à la maison. »

Cette incursion serait en rapport avec l'enlèvement du soldat Gilad Shalit et une tentative de le libérer.

Un responsable du Hamas Nizar Rayan a lancé à la radio : « Combattez l'ennemi, qui court à sa perte. Empoignez vos fusils et résistez ! »


Gaza, l'esercito israeliano irrompe nella Striscia, ministri palestinesi sequestrati

Dopo giorni di tensione è scattata l'operazione israeliana all'interno della Striscia di Gaza, denominata Operazione Piogge Estive. Questa notte le truppe israeliane sono parzialmente penetrate nella Striscia che è stata circondata a nord e a est dall'esercito israeliano, e a ovest dalla polizia egiziana, nel tentativo di liberare Gilad Shalit, il caporale israeliano diciannovenne catturato da un commando di forze palestinesi il 25 giugno.

Nel frattempo in Cisgiordania sono stati catturati e sequestrati dall'esercito israeliano 8 ministri del governo palestinese, membri di Hamas e 64 leader politici, oltre che numerosi capi militari di Hamas. Tra questi il laburista Mohammad Barghouti e altri importanti esponenti dell'ala politica di Hamas stessa, che Israele ritiene responsabile del sequestro.

Gli eventi sono precipitati quando l'attacco di un commando congiunto dell'ala militare di Hamas, dei Comitati Popolari di Resistenza e di Jaish al-Islam (Esercito dell'Islam) a una postazione di militari delle Forze di difesa israeliane nei pressi di Kerem Shalom, in territorio israeliano, ha causato la morte di due soldati israeliani, il ferimento di quattro e la cattura di un quinto, il caporale Gilad Shalit. Nell'assalto, sono morti anche tre miliziani palestinesi.

I miliziani che hanno rapito Shalit hanno richiesto il rilascio di tutte le prigioniere e tutti i prigionieri sotto i 18 anni in cambio di informazioni su di lui. Il Primo ministro israeliano, Ehud Olmert, ha risposto che "noi non negoziamo coi terroristi", implicando che Israele non ha intenzione di arrivare a un compromesso per ottenere il rilascio del soldato rapito.

Questa notte l'intervento delle truppe di terra è stato preceduto da una fase aerea preparatoria, con il bombardamento da parte dell'aeronautica israeliana di alcuni ponti al fine di limitare la capacità di trasferire l'ostaggio, nonché il bombardamento di una o più centrali elettriche per oscurare la zona interessata dalle operazioni.

Emerge inoltre la notizia che F-16 israeliani abbiano sorvolato Damasco a scopo intimidatorio (la Siria ospita tutt'ora alcuni influenti leader di Hamas), e che la contraerea siriana e l'aviazione, abbiano reagito, costringendo i caccia a rientrare in Israele dal Mediterraneo.

Infatti, proprio in Siria si nasconde il leader di Hamas, Khaled Mashal, che secondo alcune fonti gode di un'immunità particolare grazie alla copertura delle autorità siriane e del presidente siriano, Bashar Assad.

Attualmente le operazioni di terra sono limitate a sporadici interventi all'interno o ai confini della Striscia di Gaza, ma le truppe sono schierate e pronte ad intervenire. Le incursioni sarebbero nel nord della Striscia e in prossimità dell'aeroporto di Gaza.

Nella notte è stata udita una forte esplosione a Gaza, in prossimità dell'Università Islamica, e diverse posizioni strategicamente importanti a nord della Striscia sono state bombardate dall'artiglieria di terra e dalle batterie navali, con l'intento di occuparle o renderle inoffensive: da tali posizioni, infatti, partirebbero i razzi Qassam destinati alle città oltreconfine.

È stato riportato un continuo lancio di razzi sul territorio israeliano durante l'intera nottata, mentre su alcune cittadine a nord della striscia (soprattutto Beit Lahia e Beit Hanoun) sono stati lanciati volantini recanti un'intimazione affinché la popolazione civile lasciasse le proprie case, nell'imminenza dell'attacco dell'IDF. Ecco una traduzione del contenuto dei volantini:

Ai residenti della regione:
L'IDF sta eseguendo le proprie attività attraverso l'intera Striscia di Gaza, e in quanto tali si tratta di operazioni militari che prenderanno il tempo necessario. Esse hanno lo scopo di identificare il luogo in cui il soldato rapito, Gilad Shalit, si trova, di assicurarne il rilascio e continuare a difendere i cittadini dello stato di Israele.
Per la vostra incolumità e a causa della nostra preoccupazione nel prevenire danno ai civili che non sia legato alle attività contro le nostre forze, dovete trattenervi dal circolare in aree dove le Forze di Difesa Israeliane operano e di seguire scrupolosamente le loro istruzioni.
Chiunque ostacoli le attività delle forze militari, le quali stanno cercando di completare la missione e riportare il soldato rapito a casa in pace, si espone a un grave rischio.
Il Comando dell'IDF.

Hamas ha chiamato la popolazione alle armi, e centinaia di palestinesi armati stanno organizzando barricate e trappole esplosive per contrastare le truppe israeliane.

Nel corso del 29, gli israeliani sono penetrati a Khan Yunis e a Gaza, e hanno catturato l'aeroporto internazionale di Gaza.

Oltre al sequestro del caporale dell'esercito, gruppi palestinesi hanno sequestrato un colono. Il colono, un diciottenne che faceva l'autostop, Eliahu Asheri, era stato sequestrato domenica scorsa e sarebbe stato ucciso dai rapitori a seguito delle incursioni. È stato ritrovato nei pressi di Ramallah con un colpo alla testa; l'uccisione è stata rivendicata dai Comitati di resistenza popolare palestinesi, che hanno successivamente affermato di aver sequestrato un ulteriore colono israeliano.

Un primo esame del cadavere ha evidenziato che la morte era sopraggiunta, per Asheri, da almeno tre giorni prima del ritrovamento: si è dunque ipotizzato che il colono sia stato ucciso il giorno stesso del rapimento.
Anche il secondo colono, Noach Moskovich, è stato trovato morto, nei pressi del cimitero dell'ex-colonia ebraica di Rishon LeTzion.

Secondo i palestinesi il governo israeliano ha catturato i ministri ed i deputati allo scopo di effettuare uno scambio col prigioniero, mentre una portavoce dell'esercito israeliano ha negato affermando che i catturati saranno trattati come terroristi e pertanto processati come responsabili dei fatti.

Il presidente dell'ANP Abu Mazen ha affermato che il sequestro di ministri e deputati dell'ANP da parte dell'esercito israeliano è inaccettabile, ed ha chiesto l'intervento della comunità internazionale.

Intanto si fanno più incerte le sorti del soldato preso in ostaggio: come ha affermato il vicepremier dell'ANP, le sorti dell'ostaggio "dipendono dalle decisioni del governo israeliano", mentre per contro il premier israeliano Ehud Olmert ha affermato che Israele non esiterà a "compiere azioni estreme per restituirlo alla famiglia".

Nella mattina del 29 giugno, Israele ha cominciato l'arresto in massa dei parlamentari palestinesi appartenenti al partito di Hamas, nonché dei membri del Consiglio Legislativo Palestinese e di altri ufficiali, per un totale di almeno 64 persone. Tra questi, figura il ministro delle finanze dell'ANP Barghouti e sette altri ministri del governo, assieme ai capi locali dei consigli regionali il sindaco di Qalqilyah. Come risultato, si riporta che gli ufficiali di Hamas hanno cominciato a nascondersi.

L'esercito israeliano ha affermato che gli ufficiali di Hamas catturati "non collaborano affatto per il recupero del soldato", ma la loro collaborazione non sembrerebbe necessaria: sempre secondo il portavoce dell'IDF, "si tratta semplicemente di un'operazione contro un'organizzazione terroristica". Il ministro israeliano per le Infrastrutture, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, ha lanciato un avviso al Primo Ministro dell'Autorità Nazionale Palestinese, Ismail Haniya, indicandogli che la sua immunità non ha alcun effetto nei confronti delle forze israeliane. L'operazione per l'arresto di questi ufficiali palestinesi fu, secondo alcune fonti, pianificata alcune settimane prima dell'inizio dell'offensiva. Il 28 giugno il direttore di Shin Bet, Yuval Diskin, ha fatto approvare una lista di nomi al Premier israeliano Olmert. Il vice-premier israeliano, Shimon Peres, ha spiegato gli arresti indicando che essi "non erano arbitrari. Gli arrestati saranno processati, e potranno difendersi in accordo con un sistema legale internazionalmente riconosciuto".

Gli israeliani hanno colpito la centrale elettrica e due dei più importanti ponti che costituiscono la rete viaria della Striscia di Gaza, nelle prime ore di mercoledì. Secondo le autorità di Gerusalemme, questi attacchi sono stati organizzati per prevenire trasferimenti dell'ostaggio una volta iniziata l'operazione di recupero nella zona.

Come risultato degli attacchi, circa 600.000 residenti non hanno acqua corrente e almeno 400.000 non hanno energia elettrica. Il problema si fa progressivamente più grave col passare delle ore viste le condizioni meteo, le cui previsioni danno bel tempo e forte umidità, e l'uso del sistema fognario, alimentato da pompe che si avvalgono dell'energia della centrale oggi danneggiata.
Tutti i posti di frontiera sono chiusi, le riserve di carburante sono quasi esaurite e, poiché l'uso dei generatori a benzina è l'unica possibilità di avere energia in queste situazioni, l'economia delle risorse locali sta peggiorando ora dopo ora. Álvaro de Soto, Coordinatore Speciale dell'ONU per il Processo di Pace in Medio Oriente e Rappresentante Speciale del Segretario Generale per l'ANP, ha affermato che non vi sarà più carburante a Gaza entro venerdì sera o sabato mattina al massimo, il che risultato più immediato sarà il blocco del sistema fognario. Ufficiali dell'ONU hanno stimato che le riserve di cibo a Gaza permettono circa due giorni di autonomia.


Israëlische troepen vallen Gazastrook binnen

De Israëlische luchtmacht heeft dinsdagavond een luchtaanval uitgevoerd op twee bruggen in de Gazastrook. Ook een stroomvoorziening is getroffen door de luchtaanval. Dat melden Palestijnse en Israëlische bronnen.

Een Israëlische legerwoordvoerder heeft bevestigd dat Israëlische tanks de Gazastrook zijn binnengevallen.

Een van de bruggen verbond het dorp al-Moughraka, ten zuiden van Gazastad, met Gaza. F-16's vuurden raketten af op de brug. Er vielen zover bekend geen gewonden, maar volgens Palestijnse veiligheidsbronnen is de hoofdwaterleiding die het centrum van de Gazastrook van drinkwater voorziet, verwoest.


Izrael atakuje strefę Gazy

Izraelskie wojsko weszło do strefy Gazy w celu odbicia porwanego żołnierza, dziewiętnastoletniego kaprala Gilada Shalita. Po wysadzeniu trzech mostów w celu ograniczenia możliwości przemieszczenia porwanego i ataku z helikopterów na stacje energetyczne, pogrążającym dużą część okręgu w ciemnościach, izraelskie oddziały piechoty i uzbrojone pojazdy wkroczyły do Gazy koło nieużywanego lotniska.

"Nie mamy zamiaru pozostać w strefie Gazy", powiedział izraelski Minister Infrastruktury Binyamin Ben-Eliezer w izraelskim radiu, ale nie powiedział, jak długo będzie trwać operacja. "My chcemy jedynie odzyskać naszego chłopca".