January 15th

UN headquarters in Gaza hit by Israeli 'white phosphorus' shells ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times by Sheera Frenkel - January 15, 2009 - 1:00am The main UN compound in Gaza was in flames today after being struck by Israeli artillery fire, and a spokesman said that the building had been hit by shells containing the incendiary agent white phosphorus. The attack on the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) came as Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, arrived in Israel on a peace mission and plunged Israel's relations with the world body to a new low. » Read more

Israel Strike Hits U.N. Complex in Gaza Strip ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Taghreed El-Khodary, Isabel Kershner - January 15, 2009 - 1:00am Israeli forces shelled areas deep inside Gaza City on Thursday, hitting the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and injuring at least three people in the compound, according to witnesses and United Nations officials. A spokesman for the agency, Christopher Gunness, said that hundreds of Palestinians were sheltering in the compound at the time of the shelling and that there were five fully laden fuel vehicles at the site. He said two buildings were ablaze. » Read more

January 14th

How to beat Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Akiva Eldar - January 14, 2009 - 1:00am Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel and yesterday shots were fired from its territory at a Border Police patrol north of Eilat. Shots were fired from Syria at an Israeli unit and Katyusha rockets from Lebanon struck the center of Nahariya. Turkey is furious, Saudi Arabia is boiling and Qatar is boycotting Israel. » Read more

Why Israel Can’t Make Peace With Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jeffrey Goldberg - (Opinion) January 13, 2009 - 1:00am IN the summer of 2006, at a moment when Hezbollah rockets were falling virtually without pause on northern Israel, Nizar Rayyan, husband of four, father of 12, scholar of Islam and unblushing executioner, confessed to me one of his frustrations. We were meeting in a concrete mosque in the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza. Mr. Rayyan, who was a member of the Hamas ruling elite, and an important recruiter of suicide bombers until Israel killed him two weeks ago (along with several of his wives and children), arrived late to our meeting from parts unknown. » Read more

Gaza tunnels: No path to peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Boston Globe by David Schenker - (Opinion) January 14, 2009 - 1:00am EGYPT has long been considered a "bridge" between the East and West. Yet, two weeks into the Israeli campaign against Hamas in Gaza, Egypt is probably better known for its role as a tunnel, serving as the primary smuggling route for Hamas weapons into militant-controlled territory. As pressure mounts for a cease-fire, the disposition of these tunnels - and specifically, what actions Cairo is prepared to take to close them - seems likely to prove the difference between war and peace. » Read more

Egypt tells Hamas it must commit to one year cease-fire in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avi Issacharoff, Barak Ravid - January 14, 2009 - 1:00am Egypt continued on Tuesday to urge Hamas to accept its cease-fire proposal for the Gaza Strip. Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman told Hamas representatives to the talks in Cairo that the organization would have to commit to a one-year cease-fire. Hamas officials told the Egyptians that it would be willing to accept the proposal if the changes demanded by the organization are made. » Read more

Israel thinks Hamas waiting on Obama for Gaza truce ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff - (Analysis) January 14, 2009 - 1:00am Some reservists called up earlier this month were sent home on furlough on Tuesday. This may be a hint that Israel is still delaying the third stage of its offensive in the Gaza Strip - a significant deepening of its ground operation. Meanwhile, the diplomatic efforts to bring the fighting to an end are continuing, albeit slowly. As expected by many analysts, Hamas offered a less than clear response to the Egyptian cease-fire initiative. The deputy head of the Hamas politburo, Musa Abu Marzouk, explained that some changes to the proposal are necessary. » Read more

Diplomats: Gaza op causing long-term harm to Israel's image ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - January 14, 2009 - 1:00am A few days ago, I met a European ambassador stationed in Israel. The man, a great friend of Israel, launched an emotional monologue and spoke from the bottom of his heart. "Make no mistake," he said. "I understand why you embarked on the operation in Gaza, and many of my colleagues also understand and even support it, but a few days ago you started to cross red lines." » Read more

Israel defense officials back immediate Gaza cease-fire ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel - January 14, 2009 - 1:00am Senior defense establishment officials believe that Israel should strive to reach an immediate cease-fire with Hamas, and not expand its offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group in Gaza. During meetings of the Israel Defense Forces General Staff and of the heads of the state's other security branches, officials have said that Israel achieved several days ago all that it possibly could in Gaza. The officials expressed reservations about launching the third phase of Operation Cast Lead, preferring for it to remain a threat at this stage. » Read more

State officials: Barak encouraging Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Roni Sofer - January 14, 2009 - 1:00am Defense Minister Ehud Barak's statements regarding the nearing end of the Israeli offensive in Gaza have earned him harsh criticism from top Jerusalem officials, who have said that Hamas interprets such statements as Israel trying to find a way out of the fighting. "Leaking details of ministers' private initiatives is irresponsible and regrettable," said a state official. » Read more