Israel launches air strikes on Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Nidal Al-Mughrabi - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am Israeli warplanes struck a number of sites in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, causing some damage but no casualties, Palestinian residents and Hamas security officials said. Residents said one air strike targeted tunnels which run under the Egyptian border at the town of Rafah that militants use to smuggle arms into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Another hit an already bombed security compound in the town of Khan Younis. An Israeli army spokesman said the warplanes had hit seven tunnels and one other target in Gaza. » Read more

Shake Up in the PLO ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Kifah Zaboun - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat- High-ranking Palestinian sources have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas transferred the task of leading the Palestinian negotiating team from Ahmad Quray, alias Abu-Ala, to Saeb Erekat, head of the PLO's negotiations department. » Read more

Israel 'must give up considerable territory in exchange for peace' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News February 17, 2009 - 1:00am Occupied Jerusalem: Tzipi Livni, who hopes to be appointed Israel's prime minister-designate, said on Monday Israel must give up considerable territory in exchange for peace with the Palestinians, drawing a clear distinction with her rival, Benjamin Netanyahu. » Read more

Who can probe Gaza war crimes claims? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Bethany Bell - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am There have been numerous calls for investigations into whether war crimes were committed during the recent Israeli offensive in Gaza. The Geneva Conventions and additional protocols prohibit the destruction of property, "except when rendered absolutely necessary by military operations" and "indiscriminate attacks" affecting civilians. Concerns about the number of civilian casualties and damage to buildings in Gaza have been raised - among others - by the United Nations, by the Palestinian Authority, the Arab League and by human rights groups. » Read more

Explosives haul missing in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News by Tim Franks - February 17, 2009 - 1:00am A large stockpile of unexploded weapons has disappeared in Gaza, before United Nations experts were able to dispose of it safely, the BBC has learned. The explosives, including aircraft bombs and white phosphorus shells, were fired by the Israeli military during its recent offensive in the Gaza Strip. UN officials said they were urgently trying to establish where the arms had gone and have called for their return. Israel has accused Hamas of taking the stockpile, which was under Hamas guard. 'Extremely dangerous' » Read more

Israel links Gaza deal to soldier's release ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Adam Entous - February 18, 2009 - 1:00am Israel decided Wednesday against lifting its border blockade of the Gaza Strip until Hamas agreed to the release of a captured Israeli soldier, putting a longer-term ceasefire proposal by Egypt on hold. The unanimous decision by outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet raised the stakes in delicate negotiations over Hamas demands that Israel free up to 1,400 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier, Gilad Shalit. » Read more

Hamas Seeking To Come In From Cold ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times by Sana Abdallah - August 28, 2008 - 12:00am Chances of coming in from the cold are looking better for Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement ruling the Gaza Strip, as the world braces itself for crucial changes in political leaderships and power shifts that might also bring strategic policy turns in the Middle East. » Read more