home

Israel Declares Ceasefire in Gaza

By Jeralyn, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Sat Jan 17, 2009 at 09:57:20 PM EST
Tags: Israel, Hamas (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Israel has declared a ceasefire in Gaza.

Troops would remain in Gaza for the time being and if Hamas held fire, the military would "consider pulling out of Gaza at a time that befits us". If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would respond with force, the Israeli leader added.

Hamas isn't pleased:

Israel must withdraw completely, lift its economic blockade of Gaza and open border crossings, the spokesman said.

< The Worst 43 | Six Detainees Released From Guantanamo >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Israel Declares Ceasefire in Gaza | 25 comments (25 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    War criminals (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Andreas on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 01:46:35 AM EST
    "Israel must withdraw completely, lift its economic blockade of Gaza and open border crossings"

    Not only Hamas demands that.

    In addition to that the mass murderers and war criminals arround Olmert must be punished.

    Andreas, (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by cpa1 on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 06:51:09 AM EST
    Without knowing your background, you're comment/demand is very one-sided.  I hate war but if some country was firing rockets at NYC, I would want massive retaliation so that they would eventually stop.

    It is unfortunate that these animals in Hamas hide behind children and keep their munitions in schools.  It is most unfortunate for the Palestinian people because Israel has to strike back at the targets where the "trouble" is and the World should be vilifying Hamas for firing rockets and then using children as shields.  Israel cannot stop them from doing this.  Only the Palestinians and fellow Arabs can do that.  At some point the people need to withdraw all support and overthrow leaders that are destroying them.  They are doing the opposite.

    Parent

    Andreas is (none / 0) (#12)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 09:17:46 AM EST
    a member of the World Socialist Party or some such far Left wing organization.

    Parent
    WSWS (none / 0) (#14)
    by Andreas on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 09:49:48 AM EST
    I do not share the politics of the "World Socialist Party".

    But I do represent the WSWS:

    The World Socialist Web Site is published by the International Committee of the Fourth International, the leadership of the of the world socialist movement, the Fourth International founded by Leon Trotsky in 1938.

    About the World Socialist Web Site

    Parent

    Funny thing is, (none / 0) (#18)
    by jtaylorr on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:19:30 AM EST
    the UN agrees with Andreas!
    Navi Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights said teh Zeitoun Incident "appears to have all the elements of war crimes."

    Parent
    "keep their munitions in schools" (none / 0) (#20)
    by Andreas on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:38:40 AM EST
    You obviously have no problem spreading lies which are known to be lies for several days now.

    The schools were targeted not because of munition or weapons hidden there but because of the children and refugees which were there. Those people were the targets.

    Ehud Olmert is representing one of the most vicious terror organisations on this planet. He is as criminal as Osama bin Laden and he should be brought to justice.


    Parent

    interesting to (none / 0) (#24)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:50:30 PM EST
    note you don't have a problem with Hamas keeping weapons and munitions in schools.

    Parent
    no weapons and munitions (none / 0) (#27)
    by Andreas on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 02:37:07 PM EST
    There were no weapons and munitions in those schools.


    Parent
    Hamas also (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 06:56:30 AM EST
    denies Israels right to exist and says jews are descended from pigs and dogs.  You want to agree with them?

    Parent
    "Israels right to exist" (none / 0) (#16)
    by Andreas on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:02:50 AM EST
    To answer that question:

    There is only way out of the malignant contradictions of Israeli society. That is to unite Arab and Jewish workers in a common struggle against capitalism and for the building of a socialist society, which would tear down the artificial borders which divide the peoples and economies of the region. Only in this way can the region liberate itself from war and oppression, fueled by the profit drive of foreign capitalists and the native ruling classes.

    Israel's crisis and the historic contradictions of Zionism
    By Bill Van Auken, 16 May 2008

    Parent

    LOL nice avoiding the question. (none / 0) (#23)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:48:45 PM EST
    Hamas denies Israel's right to exist.  No word on religion by Bill van Auken.  

    Parent
    Look at the Arab world (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by cpa1 on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 08:30:32 AM EST
    and then look at Israel.  Would Arabs allow a Jew in their government?  Would Jews target buses for bombs?  I think not!

    But the real difference and the fact that holds back the entire Arab world is that they have some of the most selfish bastards owning these countries.  The suck in all the income and they are very happy with the fact that their countries are one country economies.  They could care less about the Arab street.  They don't look to expand their business opportunities (not counting Dubai) so that their people can find work and participate in the world economy other than trying to destroy it.  Until the Arab street wakes up and overthrows these pigs, including the Ayatollahs, all they have to live on is hate.  Unfortunately, they are hating the wrong people.

    Israel is not like that at all.  It is a democracy that cares about all it's people even the Arabs.  

    Parent

    Is that why (none / 0) (#17)
    by jtaylorr on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:06:48 AM EST
    Israel banned all Arab parties from running in the next election?

    Parent
    I fully expect (none / 0) (#2)
    by weltec2 on Sat Jan 17, 2009 at 11:02:57 PM EST
    them to do so. This is one of the most important  responsibilities I have been looking forward to seeing Hillary handle.  

    A toast... (none / 0) (#4)
    by weltec2 on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:48:12 AM EST
    from here on the side of Yatsugatake (a cluster of eight mountains) in Yamanashi, Japan... trying to hold on to some hope... waiting in anticipation.

    Parent
    And the Bush's (none / 0) (#11)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 09:16:22 AM EST
    team that called for a two country solution caused Hamas to launch rockets into Israel?

    Do you actually think that Obama will have Israel surrender??

    Either you are in for a big surprise or we will watch the US oversee the deaths of millions of Jews.

    Parent

    Hamas never said it would stop firing rockets (none / 0) (#5)
    by daryl herbert on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 01:38:56 AM EST
    if Israel met its conditions.

    Hamas has been firing rockets into Israel (more than 6,500) for well over two years prior to the Israeli invasion.

    Israel is being nice for Barack Obama: if rockets are flying during his inauguration, that's Hamas' fault, not Israel's.  Israel wants to appease the First Ego without giving up their military advantage.

    When Hamas continues to fire rockets, Israel will use that as justification to go in further.

    If Hamas stops firing rockets, Israel can declare victory and Hamas will be humiliated.

    It's win-win for Israel (and the Palestinian people, who do not benefit from a strong Hamas).

    I agree but (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by cpa1 on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 08:41:39 AM EST
    you wrote.....

    "If Hamas stops firing rockets, Israel can declare victory and Hamas will be humiliated."

    I don't think I agree with that.  I don't Israel gives a __ about declaring victory.  It wants to not live in fear and hate.  What a shame that Arab countries don't work with and learn from Israel what actually can be done in the desert.

    Parent

    Completely wrong. (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by jtaylorr on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:34:01 AM EST
    Israel and Hamas signed a 6 month ceasefire in June and almost all rocket fire stopped (see: http://www.themediaoasis.com/RocketChart.jpg) The rockets started again after Israel bombed tunnels within the Gaza borders.

    Parent
    Almost (none / 0) (#25)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:51:55 PM EST
    all.  Nice spin.  

    Parent
    If war is the continuation of politics... (none / 0) (#13)
    by lambert on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 09:24:39 AM EST
    ... other means, was there a political win for Israel, here? Regardless of the casus belli.

    No one likes to talk about the reasons (none / 0) (#15)
    by jtaylorr on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:02:37 AM EST
    WHY Hamas was firing rockets in the first place.
    Maybe it had something to do with the fact that half of Gaza residents live on one meal a day.
    Or that malnutrition in Gaza is equal to that of your average sub-Saharan African country.
    Face it: Israel was starving Gaza.
    They were only letting 20 trucks into Gaza per day when it's estimated 600 per day are needed to support Gaza.
    Now obviously, none of this completely justifies Hamas firing rockets, but its a lot less clear cut than everyone tries to make it out to be.

    Liar, liar (1.00 / 1) (#21)
    by daryl herbert on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:09:15 PM EST
    This is absurd nonsense.  Gaza gets plenty of food, and there is no evidence of malnutrition.  All the time, on TV, there are chubby Gazans, from women wearing tent-sized Islamic garb, to potbellied soldiers.

    Apologists for Palestinian terrorists will say anything to bash Israel, regardless of what Israel does.

    The Jew-haters can be counted on to spread any lie about Israel, no matter how obviously false.

    Parent

    Distusting (none / 0) (#22)
    by squeaky on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:18:23 PM EST
    Anyone who calls critics of Israeli right wing policies "jew haters"
    is a race baiter and apologist of the worst order. May as well be a nazi collaborator, imo.

    Parent
    You know... (none / 0) (#26)
    by diogenes on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 01:53:35 PM EST
    Ever since 1948 Egypt and Jordan could have absorbed the Palestinians rather than keeping them in refugee camps and fostering the illusion that they would push Israel into the sea.  There has NEVER been a country called "Palestine".  

    Parent
    Israel Declares Ceasefire in Gaza | 25 comments (25 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment