Israeli troops meet pull-out ultimatum
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:07:44 GMT
Israel has completed its troop pullout from Gaza within the one-week deadline
Hamas had given Tel Aviv for its full withdrawal.
An Israeli army spokesman said on Wednesday that Israeli forces have withdrawn
from the Gaza Strip.
"The last soldier left the Gaza Strip this morning," the spokesman said.
"However, the army remains deployed all around the Gaza Strip to meet any
eventuality."
The spokesman did not give further details about the withdrawal.
Israeli troops began pulling out of Gaza on Sunday evening amid world
condemnation of Israeli crimes against the Palestinians.
Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire on Sunday, after which Hamas responded
positively by giving Tel Aviv a one-week ultimatum to withdraw all its forces
from the area and end its 18-month blockade of the coastal enclave.
The Israel Air Force nevertheless confirmed on Tuesday that it had staged new
attacks in the Gaza Strip, despite its ceasefire.
While Tel Aviv has met the troop withdrawal part of the ultimatum, Press TV
correspondents on the ground in Gaza have revealed that Israel ships blockading
the Palestinian territory continue to shell residential areas in the strip.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on Sunday declared the Israeli pull-out request as a
"great victory" for all Palestinians, saying Tel Aviv had failed to achieve its
objectives.
The democratically-elected Palestinian official warned that Israel must also end
its 18-month blockade on the coastal region.
At least 1,340 Palestinians have been killed and 5,320 others have been wounded
in the recent Israeli operations. At least 1,100 of those killed were civilians.
Israel has put the number of its soldiers killed at 13.
Hamas, however, says it has killed at least 80 Israeli soldiers.
MSH/AA
Related News :
UN demands end to Gaza blockade
Ban calls for probe into attack on UN in Gaza
Hamas documented Israeli war crimes
UN demands end to Gaza blockade
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:17:31 GMT
The UN humanitarian chief says it is "absolutely critical" for Israel to open
all border crossings to the Gaza Strip immediately.
John Holmes said on Tuesday that to rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza, it is
"absolutely critical" that Israel reverse the ban it has enforced since Hamas
came to power in 2007 and that it allows cement, pipes and other building
materials to enter the Palestinian territory.
UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes (L)
He stressed that his top priority will be to get all Gaza border crossings
opened as soon as possible "otherwise, the reconstruction effort won't get off
first base."
The humanitarian official added that the residents of Gaza are also in a dire
need of food and fuel.
Holmes, who is expected to arrive in the occupied territories on Wednesday, told
a news conference that he would also press Israeli authorities to allow aid
workers from international organizations into Gaza.
According to the UN official, hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian
aid will be needed immediately to help the nearly 1.5 million Gazans in the
strip; billions of dollars will be required to rebuild its shattered buildings
and infrastructure.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Tuesday that Israel would not open
the border crossings into Gaza without progress on the issue of Israeli soldier
Gilad Shalit, who had been captured by Hamas fighters in June 2006.
Hamas has demanded that Israel open the coastal strip's borders. The European
Union has also called for the opening of the crossings in order to secure a
lasting ceasefire around the territory.
Mussa Abu Marzuq, a senior Hamas official in exile, has commented on the issue
of the temporary ceasefire, suggesting that clashes may continue unless Israel
ends its 18-month blockade on the strip.
"We in the Palestinian resistance movements announce a ceasefire in the Gaza
Strip and demand that enemy forces withdraw in a week and open all the border
crossings to permit the entry of humanitarian aid and basic goods," he said on
Tuesday.
Israel waged war on Gaza on December 27. At least 1,340 Gazans were killed and
at least 5,320 others were injured in the ensuing hostilities.
Holmes said that the UN is trying to intensify humanitarian efforts in Gaza,
adding that while some trucks and fuel supplies are getting in, the amount of
aid remains small and "very inadequate".
"We need more food, wheat grain in particular both for the humanitarian food
distribution and for local bakeries,'' Holmes said.
FTP/JG/AA
Related News :
Israeli human rights groups call for Gaza probe
Ban calls for probe into attack on UN in Gaza
Report: Gaza situation highly critical
Israeli human rights groups call for Gaza probe
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:57:33 GMT
Several Israeli human rights groups call on Tel Aviv to set up an independent
investigation into the violations of the rules of war in Gaza.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, eight Israeli human rights groups
demanded that the government investigate the army's killing and wounding of
thousands of civilians during "Operation Cast Lead", which lasted for 22 days.
People walk by the rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli army operations in Gaza City.
They urged prosecutor general Menachem Mazuz, who is also the government's legal adviser, to investigate the army's "terrifying" act, in which a number of children and women were killed.
The statement quoted Palestinian Health Ministry figures listing more than 1,300 people dead, including 460 children and about 100 women. Another 5,300 were wounded - 1,855 of them children and 795 women.
"The rules of war seem to have been held in total contempt, forcing Israel to
open an independent inquiry immediately," the joint statement said, according to a Middle East Online report.
The human rights groups include B'tselem, the main Israeli rights body covering
the occupied territories, Doctors for Human Rights, There is Justice, and the
Public Committee against Torture.
FTP/HGL
Ban calls for probe into attack on UN in Gaza
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:26:03 GMT
Ban Ki-moon has said that the destruction of UN-run buildings and schools in
Gaza during Israel's 22-day war on Hamas is totally unacceptable.
The United Nations secretary general expressed his anger at seeing the
devastation during his tour of Gaza on Tuesday, saying that those who opened
fire on the building should be held accountable.
The UN chief was speaking to reporters outside the still-smoldering main UN
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in Gaza City, which was hit by Israeli
shells last Thursday, setting fire to the building and to the food aid stored
inside.
Ban Ki-moon speaks to journalists in Gaza City in front of the still smouldering UN building destroyed by Israeli fire
Other UN buildings were also hit during the fighting, and a number of
Palestinian refugees allowed by the UN to take shelter inside its schools were
killed.
Ban said, “It is an outrageous and totally unacceptable attack on the United
Nations."
There must be a full investigation, a full explanation "to make sure it never
happens again. There should be accountability through a proper judiciary
system,” Times Online quoted him as saying.
Israel agreed to a ceasefire on Sunday, after reducing a sixth of the buildings
in the overcrowded territory to rubble. About 1,340 Gazans were kiled and 5,320
wounded, including 1,855 children and 795 women.
Ban told reporters that he was shocked and alarmed at the destruction incurred,
adding, although "I have seen only a fraction of the destruction." He also
condemned the "excessive" use of force by Israel and rocket salvoes fired by
Hamas.
UN officials had rejected claims by Israel that its troops responded to shooting
from gunmen at the facility.
Ban, who is the most senior international official to visit Gaza since Hamas
came to power in 2007, called for Palestinian reconciliation and said that the
UN would work with any united Palestinian government to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
While Ban Ki-moon was visiting Gaza, Hamas held a rally outside the compound
calling for international recognition of its Gaza-based government.
A Palestinian father and son inspect their destroyed house in the southern part of Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Meanwhile, Gaza residents who fled the fighting were continuing to return
to the rubble of what used to be their homes, picking through debris and trying
to salvage belongings.
In a tragic postscript to the conflict, two Palestinian children playing with an
unexploded Israeli shell were killed when it detonated, Hamas officials said.
FTP/HGL
Israeli officer arrested for saying no to Gaza war
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:08:55 GMT
An Israeli military officer has been arrested for refusing to kill
Palestinians in the three-week offensive against Gaza.
Israel arrested Noam Livne in his home in Tel Aviv on Monday.
Livne cited ethical reasons for his objection to the war against civilians,
saying that the army's top brass would not accept his reasons.
The 22-day onslaught against civilians devasted the Gaza Strip.
This is the second time that Livne disobeyed the army. In 2001, he refused to go
to war and was sent to prison.
"This will be the second time that I am being brought in," he told Vita
magazine a few hours before his arrest.
"It happened before, eight years ago, when I said 'no' for the first time," he
added.
Tel Aviv launched a ruthless military campaign against the Gaza Strip on
December 27 with the aim of eliminating Hamas, the democratically-elected ruling
party of the coastal region.
At least 1,340 Palestinians were killed and 5,320 others were wounded during the
conflict, according to Press TV correspondents in Gaza.
AGB/HGL
Related News :
Hamas: Israel suffered humiliating defeat
'Israeli troops come under fire in Gaza'
Israeli troops meet pull-out ultimatum
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:07:44 GMT
Israel has completed its troop pullout from Gaza within the one-week deadline Hamas had given Tel Aviv for its full withdrawal.
UN demands end to Gaza blockade Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:17:31 GMT
The UN humanitarian chief says it is "absolutely critical" for Israel to open all border crossings to the Gaza Strip immediately.
Israeli human rights groups call for Gaza probe
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:57:33 GMT
Several Israeli human rights groups call on Tel Aviv to set up an independent investigation into the violations of the rules of war in Gaza.
Ban calls for probe into attack on UN in Gaza
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:26:03 GMT
Ban Ki-moon has said that the destruction of UN-run buildings and schools in Gaza during Israel's 22-day war on Hamas is totally unacceptable.
Israeli officer arrested for saying no to Gaza war
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:08:55 GMT
An Israeli military officer has been arrested for refusing to kill Palestinians in the three-week offensive against Gaza.
'Israeli nukes threaten world' Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:31:47 GMT
An Iranian diplomat says the Israeli crimes committed against Gazans should alarm the world about the threat of Israel's nuclear arsenal.
Israeli warplanes attack Gaza
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:10:15 GMT
Israeli warplanes have carried out another strike on the Gaza Strip after Tel Aviv and Hamas separately announced ceasefire in the region.
Hamas: Israel suffered humiliating defeat
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:14:37 GMT
A top Hamas leader has termed Operation Cast Lead as a humiliating defeat for Israel, saying Tel Aviv failed to reach any of its goals.
'Israeli troops come under fire in Gaza'
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:21:10 GMT
Palestinian fighters have opened fire on Israeli troops who remain in the Gaza Strip despite a Hamas ultimatum for their complete pull-out.
Report: Gaza situation highly critical Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:40:44 GMT
A Press TV correspondent on the ground in Gaza has described the humanitarian situation in the under-siege Palestinian territory.
Hamas documented Israeli war crimes
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:24:09 GMT
A senior Hamas member has announced that the movement has documented irrefutable proof of Israeli war crimes inside the Gaza Strip.
Arabs fail to reach consensus on Gaza Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:50:25 GMT
Arab countries have failed to reach an agreement over the Gaza Strip following a three-week long Israeli offensive against the region.
Israel 'can be tried for war crimes'
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:03:49 GMT Human rights group Amnesty International accuses Israel of war crimes, saying its use of white phosphorus shells in Gaza was indiscriminate.
Obama feels for us Israelis: Netanyahu
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:16:52 GMT
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu says Barack Obama is silent on the issue of Gaza because of his understanding of the "distress" of Israelis.
IAEA urged to probe Israeli ammo
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:48:31 GMT
Arab nations have called on the IAEA to launch an investigation into reports that Israel used depleted uranium ammunitions against Gaza.
Israeli students call Barak 'murderer'
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:12:46 GMT
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has cancelled his visit to a university in Tel Aviv after being called a 'murderer' by the students.
'Abbas spies passed intelligence to Israelis'
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:29:20 GMT
Prominent Hamas figure Salah al-Bardaweel accuses Mahmoud Abbas of direct involvement in the Gaza war through his spies in the region.
Livni makes light of Gaza civilian casualty
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:26:09 GMT
Israel's foreign minister has sought to justify the high number of casualties in Gaza by calling it a normal "product of circumstance".
'Israeli pullout, a favor to Obama' Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:49:23 GMT Israeli troops
will not remain in the Gaza Strip at the cost of Tel Aviv's relations with Washington,
Israeli officials say.
Hamas vows to rearm after Gaza war Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:16:05 GMT Hamas has vowed
to rearm in the Gaza Strip despite Israel's military campaign aimed at diminishing
the movement's military power.
'Vague Israeli hope shattered in Gaza' Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:18:10 GMT
Israel failed to weaken the Hamas movement in Gaza during its military aggression against the impoverished strip, a report says.
Blair: Gaza ceasefire fragile Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:25:34 GMT
Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair has described a ceasefire that ended a three-week Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip as 'fragile'.
Only 'national unity' can save Gaza, says Abbas
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:06:07 GMT
The acting PA chief says the future of Gaza is pending the formations of a national unity government between Hamas and Fatah movements.
Israel recruits bloggers for Gaza aftermath
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:20:56 GMT
Israel's Immigrant Absorption Ministry says it is recruiting an "army of bloggers" in the aftermath of the military operation in Gaza.
OIC appeals for humanitarian aid to Gaza
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:54:01 GMT
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has appealed to its member-states to raise fund for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Half of Gazan children need mental care
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:46:08 GMT
Mental health disorders are one of the largest -- and least acknowledged -- health problems threatening the besieged children in Gaza.
95 Palestinian fighters killed in Gaza war
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:07:18 GMT
A Palestinian human rights group has revealed that only 95 resistance fighters were killed in the 23-day Israeli offensive into Gaza.
230 int'l lawyers taking Israel to the Hague
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:09:04 GMT
Around 230 international lawyers are set to file a lawsuit at the international Criminal Court against Israeli war crimes against Gaza.
Israeli war damages 20,000 houses
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:04:50 GMT
The Palestinian Central Bureau Statistics says the Israeli onslaught on Gaza has cost the Palestinian economy at least $1.6 billion.
Kuwait Summit should use oil against Israel
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:43:50 GMT Mauritanian political groups have called on Arab states to expel Israeli envoys and use oil as a 'weapon' against the new US administration.
UN official: Israel violated truce term
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:24:52 GMT
A top UN official has accused Israel of failing to honor its commitment to open Gaza border crossings before the bloody Gaza offensive.
Hamas: We defended Gaza with hand-made weapons
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:48:18 GMT
The Hamas military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, says the Israeli regime waged a holocaust against the civilians in the Gaza Strip.
100 bodies pulled out from rubble in Gaza
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:30:55 GMT
At least 100 bodies are pulled out from Gaza's rubble after Israel was forced to agree to a ceasefire and starts pulling out its forces from Gaza.
Olmert seeks immediate withdrawal
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:17:22 GMT
Israel confirms that it wants to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip as soon as possible following a one-week ultimatum by Hamas.
Hamas beats drums of Palestinian 'victory'
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:41:38 GMT
Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniya explains why the Israeli offensive into Gaza was a failure for Tel Aviv and a victory for Palestinians.
Time to create a Palestinian state?
Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:12:56 GMT
As a fragile cease-fire starts in Gaza, the French President and German Chancellor claim that it is time for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Shin Bet: Army far from achievement
Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:04:50 GMT
Israel's security chief has conceded that a three-week-long offensive against the Gaza Strip has failed to prevent Hamas from rearming.
Israel confirms retreating from Gaza
Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:24:31 GMT
The Israeli army has confirmed that it is gradually withdrawing its troops from Gaza after pounding the impoverished strip for 22 days.
UK urges Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:37:46 GMT
The UK premier has called for an immediate withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza, after Hamas gave a one-week ultimatum to Tel Aviv.
Israeli forces retreat from Gaza city
Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:02:07 GMT
Israeli troops have reportedly left key positions in Gaza City after Hamas set a one-week deadline for their complete pull-out from the strip.
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