Gaza Strip

The Strip Under Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Abdullah Iskandar - August 29, 2010 - 12:00am

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has been escalating its political discourse against the Palestinian Authority, on the occasion of the latter answering Washington’s call for direct negotiations with Israel. The debate over taking such a step will thus prevail over other issues with the nearing of the date for starting these negotiations on the 2nd of next month.

Israel Refuses Blair Request to Up Electricity to Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by David Miller - August 25, 2010 - 12:00am

Israel has balked at a request to boost the amount of electricity it supplies to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on grounds that it didn’t want to cooperate with “a terror organization.” Quartet Representative Tony Blair made the request Monday to Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, Blaire’s spokesman confirmed to The Media Line.

Two Israeli soldiers wounded in attack from Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Ori Lewis - August 17, 2010 - 12:00am

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired two mortar bombs into Israel on Tuesday, wounding two soldiers, the Israeli military said. Security officials in the ruling Hamas Islamist group that runs the Gaza Strip said after the incident that six Israeli tanks crossed into the territory and that one fired a shell at a house near the town of Khan Younis. No casualties were reported. The army said the two soldiers were lightly wounded and taken to hospital for treatment.

Palestinian killed, Israeli soldier wounded in southeast Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
August 17, 2010 - 12:00am

A Palestinian was killed and an Israeli soldier was lightly injured on Monday evening during clashes in southeast Gaza Strip, an Israeli army spokesman and Palestinian sources said. The spokesman told Xinhua that an Israeli army force noticed a group of Palestinian militants trying to plant a roadside bomb near the fence between southeast Gaza Strip and Israel. The spokesman said that the force had immediately opened fire at the group, killing one Palestinian, and the others ran away. The death of the Palestinian man was not confirmed by medics or security sources.

Hamas Blames Israel for Mail Embargo
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by David Miller - August 17, 2010 - 12:00am

Israel is imposing a postal blockade on Gaza, officials in the Hamas government have claimed, calling on the international community to intervene. Yousef Al-Mansi, Hamas Minister of Communications and Information Technology, called Monday for the Universal Postal Union and international human rights groups to intervene and pressure Israel into allowing mail to enter and exit the Gaza Strip.

Gaza future vague five years after unilateral Israeli disengagement
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
by Osama Radi - August 16, 2010 - 12:00am

Although five years have passed since the Israeli unilateral disengagement plan was implemented and Israel completely pulled out from the Gaza Strip, Palestinian analysts believe that Israel is still keeping its grip on the densely populated costal enclave. SITUATION IN GAZA DETERIORATED Palestinian observers said that the Gaza Strip has witnesses several eras of changes over the past five years following the Israeli withdrawal. These changes, mainly the Hamas movement's takeover of the enclave, have served Israel's interests in blocking the establishment of the independent state.

Mavi Marmara inquiry: Denying the obvious
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Gwynne Dyer - August 15, 2010 - 12:00am

The pro-Palestinian activists who said that the flotilla of ships that tried to breach the Israeli blockade and bring aid to the Gaza Strip had purely humanitarian goals were lying, and so are the Israeli officials who blandly insist that the blockade is solely to stop offensive weapons from reaching the Hamas-ruled enclave. But only the Israeli commandos who seized the ships and killed nine people had guns.

Hamas Blamed for Contested Gaza Explosion
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
August 5, 2010 - 12:00am

A mysterious explosion which obliterated eight Gazan homes, damaged another 30 and injured over 50 people on Monday originated in a house used by Hamas to store weapons, The Media Line has learned. The Deir Al-Balah refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip was rocked Monday by an explosion centered in an uninhabited house belonging to 'Alaa Al-Danaf, a field commander of the 'Izz A-din Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas The 'Iz A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades blamed the explosion on Israel, claiming it was an assassination attempt on their field commanders.

Medics: Israeli airstrike injures 42 in Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
August 2, 2010 - 12:00am

Israeli warplanes targeted the home of a senior Hamas military leader in the central Gaza Strip early Monday leaving 42 civilians injured, medics said. Al-Qassam Brigades leader Alla Ad-Danaf's home in Deir Al-Balah was destroyed along with five others by a missile from an Israeli F16 fighter jet, military medical services coordinator Adham Abu Salmiyya told Ma'an. At least 42 civilians were injured as a result, he added, with wounds ranging from slight to moderate.

New Gaza leisure projects focus on fun not hardship
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
August 2, 2010 - 12:00am

New leisure projects and restaurants have been springing up in the Gaza Strip, some partially funded by Hamas Islamists ruling a territory long seen as a symbol of Palestinian hardship. The construction boom in recreational facilities has prompted some Palestinians in the enclave to complain that Hamas should have channelled such investment into rebuilding homes and infrastructure destroyed in conflict with Israel. Some 800 visitors a day flock to Al-Bustan, a resort built by a Hamas-linked charity, to enjoy its swimming pools, restaurants and cafes.

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