From Yahoo News:
“In announcing the cease-fire, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel had achieved its goals and more.
“Hamas was hit hard, in its military arms and in its government institutions. Its leaders are in hiding and many of its men have been killed,” Olmert said.”
The personal stories from Israel don’t always make it out into the open, at least not in a first-person narrative. In this time of national sacrifice, as many are called to the front lines, we felt it important to bring you some of these accounts:
From the South (dated 01 Jan.):
It is the first day in the New Year and it is already light outside.
In two hours I am supposed to be in my class at the university.
I was supposed to be, but the school canceled classes as they also did not want to risks the lives of the students.
Just like the day before when the mayor of Beersheba canceled school and saved the lives of a bunch of grade school students.
Again, I am on the phone with mother worrying and urging me to come home. I stand next to the window and watch a large number of students getting onto the buses that leave the city.
I remind my mother that at home we are not safer, and for the time being I will remain here. (more)
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)
The Israel Foreign Ministry today instructed its Ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, to submit a letter to the UN Secretary General and the President of the Security Council in the wake of the firing of rockets from Lebanon this morning. continue reading…
Israel’s Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
| 396 | truckloads of humanitarian aid that have been delivered through Israeli crossings into Gaza since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, including basic food commodities, medication, medical supplies, blood units and donations by various governments and blood units. [3] |
| 80 | truckloads of humanitarian aid expected to arrive in Gaza on Jan. 5 [4] |
| 20 | Palestinians evacuated to Israel for medical treatment (including two children) [5] |
| 800,000+ | leaflets disseminated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to Gaza civilians instructing them to stay away from terrorist and weapons storage sites [6] |
| 70+ | times the IDF warned populated areas before conducting airstrikes [7] |
| 10,000 | tons of aid transported into Gaza at the request of international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead. The World Food Program informed Israel last week that that it would cease shipment of food to Gaza because warehouses are at full capacity, with enough food to last two weeks. [8] |
| 0 | wounded Palestinians allowed by Hamas to cross from Gaza into Egypt for treatment. [9] |
With the IDF now operating on the ground in several sectors of the Gaza Strip, Operation “Cast Lead” is well into its second stage. Unfortunately, Israeli divisions have begun to suffer their casualties and the loss of one soldier. The military expected Hamas to fight back; so far, however, the missions have continued according to plan. In a Haaretz piece, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff discuss how much time this operation will be given to succeed. While pressure may come from the international community, the greatest source of pressure can come from the home front, especially with the reports of casualties from Gaza. The authors note that the current operations are quite dissimilar from those in Lebanon in 2006 and is by no means a failure. There is no also reason to make it seem like one.
Image via Wikipedia
NEWS RELEASE
Governor Jon S. Corzine
January 3, 2009
TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine today issued the following statement regarding the current crisis in the Middle East:
“The current crisis in Israel and Gaza reflects a fundamental truth: Violence begets violence. What is happening now in the region underscores two important issues:
“First, all countries around the world have the absolute right and the responsibility to defend themselves against attacks on their people and their sovereignty. Israel has justly asserted that right and responsibility, as any country would, in the face of consistent and recently-increased destructive rocket bombardments against its territory and its citizens by Hamas. Civilized people everywhere must speak out against terrorist acts.
“Second, the breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire and resumption of violence are tragic reminders of the urgency to work toward comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
“Along with people of all backgrounds and faiths, I mourn the loss of innocent life and believe we are compelled by our common humanity to ensure that critical aid and assistance flow unhindered to innocent civilians in Gaza. I hope all parties respond to the urgent needs of the civilian population, and applaud Israel’s decision to open the borders for the life-saving work of United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations.
“I pray the New Year will bring renewed efforts toward peace.”
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=404e8af8-771b-49f9-aabb-8285d7f8587e)
(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)
The Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs (the Security Cabinet) met yesterday (Friday), 3.1.09, in order to discuss the continuation of IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. continue reading…
During yesterday’s Twitter conference, we got a few questions about Hamas. While the answers to the specific questions will be coming shortly, following are selected sections from the charter of Hamas (aka the Islamic Resistance Movement) with some emphasis added. The full document can be found at http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp.
Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it. (Preamble, quoting Hassan al-Banna) continue reading…
Like
