July 23rd

A Peek Into Gaza's Underground Lifeline ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - July 23, 2008 - 4:57pm For the right price, residents can have almost any commodity smuggled into Gaza through elaborate tunnels. 'This is a full-fledged competitive business that requires maintenance,' source says Ever since Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza in June 2006, the Strip's residents have had to rely on underground tunnels to smuggle in the most basic necessities, as well as cell phones and petrol from Egypt. Over the past few months an entire industry emerged in which, for the right price, people can have almost any commodity smuggled into Gaza through elaborate tunnels. » Read more

Youths Injure Two Arabs In Jerusalem Assault ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post July 23, 2008 - 4:54pm Several hours after Tuesday's terror attack in Jerusalem, a group of youths assaulted two east Jerusalem residents, Army Radio reported. The incident occurred in the Makor Baruch neighborhood, home to both Orthodox learning institutions, and hardware stores and other such outlets that draw many Arab shoppers and employees. According to eyewitnesses, two battered and bleeding Arabs barged into the yard of a family sitting shiva (the seven-day Jewish mourning period), followed by a mob of furious yeshiva students. » Read more

'to Hell With The Ceasefire' If Israel Doesn't Let Up, Hamas Says ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times by Mel Frykberg - July 23, 2008 - 4:53pm In an unusual display of frustration, moderate Hamas official Ahmed Yousef, the adviser on foreign affairs to de-facto Gaza prime minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, has told the Middle East Times that Hamas' patience with Israel is wearing thin. "I don't know what game the Israelis are playing but quite frankly if the siege isn't lifted and Gaza's borders remain closed, the ceasefire can go to hell, Yousef said by phone. » Read more

Barghouthi Spins Highlights Faults In Mideast Media ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line by Rachelle Kliger - July 23, 2008 - 4:51pm Contradictory reports in the Israeli and Palestinian media are placing question marks over the reliability of the Middle Eastern media.   Reports are abounding regarding the inclusion of two senior jailed Palestinians in a possible deal to release Israel soldier Gilad Shalit from captivity in Gaza.   One is Marwan Barghouthi, a senior Fatah member, who is serving five consecutive life terms in an Israeli jail for his involvement in terrorism.   The other is Ahmad Sa’dat, who heads the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and who is in jail in c » Read more

Abbas Serious About Withdrawing Forces From Nablus – Erekat ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 23, 2008 - 4:50pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is serious about withdrawing Palestinian forces from Nablus if Israel does not stop executing incursions into the city, a Palestinian official said Wednesday. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told the Voice of Palestine radio station that the Palestinians would not allow the continuation of incursions into Palestinian cities, especially Nablus, adding that that was to the disdain of the Palestinian authority. » Read more

Palestinian Wounded In Northern Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 23, 2008 - 4:49pm A Palestinian youth was wounded here on Wednesday after being shot by the Israeli forces, who were firing from the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian medical sources stated that the Israeli forces shot a group of Palestinians north of Beit Hanoun, resulting in wounding Mohammad Hamdan in the leg. He was taken to Beit Hanoun Hospital for treatment.

Obama Arrives In Israel, Vows To 'plunge' Into Mideast Peacemaking ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press July 23, 2008 - 4:47pm U.S. presidential contender Barack Obama arrived in Israel Tuesday night, facing a full schedule of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders after pledging to work for peace as soon as he takes office. Obama flew to Israel late Tuesday from Jordan, where he condemned an attack a few hours earlier by a Palestinian man from East Jerusalem who rammed a bulldozer into passing cars in central Jerusalem, injuring at least 24 people before being shot dead by a civilian and a Border Police officer. » Read more

Abbas: I'll Pull Out West Bank Forces ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press July 23, 2008 - 4:44pm Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told supporters on Tuesday that he will withdraw his forces from West Bank cities unless Israel halts its army operations there. Parallel to negotiations with Israel, Abbas has been trying to exert more control in the West Bank and to rein in terrorists. At the same time, the international community is training Abbas's forces, with hopes they will one day take over from Israel. » Read more

Israel's Ehud Olmert Survives 3 No-confidence Votes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters July 23, 2008 - 4:42pm Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government survived three no-confidence motions in parliament Monday, even though one of them saw a majority voting against him for the first time. One motion was approved by 41 votes to 40 after Olmert's Shas coalition partner boycotted the vote. But under Israeli law, 61 votes are needed to pass a no-confidence motion, which would lead to the dissolution of the 120-member parliament and herald new elections. » Read more

Jerusalem Shooting Officer Dies ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News July 23, 2008 - 4:41pm An Israeli policeman has died 12 days after being shot in an apparent militant attack in Jerusalem. David Shriki was hit in the head when an unidentified gunman opened fire as he was on patrol in the Old City, in mainly Arab East Jerusalem. Israeli police said they were treating it as a "terrorist" attack. Another officer was wounded by the gunfire and is recovering. There have been a number of violent incidents in Jerusalem recently. » Read more