Israeli army set for invasion
Thursday, January 1st, 2009
There’s likely some spin on both sides of this story, but it seems that Israel propped up Hamas’ ascendency in the hope of creating a counterinsurgency to weaken the PLO. See this article. It’s very sad, however, that ordinary Palestinians now must endure this collective punishment while Israel mops up a mess its warrior rulers helped create. With Gaza’s infrastructure bombed into the stone age, the people will suffer in destitution while the two extreme ends of this conflict remain each other’s most important allies: tribal warfare is prolonged through this cycle of violence.
Lee Keath, The Associated Press
January 1, 2009
GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP – The Israeli army says troops massed on the Gaza border are ready for any order to invade.
But even as it pursues its bombing campaign, Israel appears to be keeping the way open for efforts by leaders in the Middle East and Europe to arrange a ceasefire.
Israel says it would consider a halt to fighting if international monitors were brought in to track compliance with any truce.
Earlier Thursday, Egypt’s foreign minister said that Hamas must ensure rocket fire stops in any truce deal to halt Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, criticizing the Palestinian militants for giving Israel an excuse to launch the bombardment.