Category: Israel-MidEast Issues

On March 18 and March 19 – Haaretz reports that five Qassam rockets were launched at southern Israel, killing a Thai man on March 18.

Gaza rocket strikes south Israel for fifth time in 24 hours

Gaza Militants Fire Rocket at Israel, Killing Thai Worker
— VOA reports: “A Palestinian group linked to al-Qaida claimed responsibility. But Israel is holding the Islamic militant group Hamas that rules Gaza responsible and has promised retaliation”

— Al-Qaeda-inspired Islamists in the Gaza Strip

— Israel urges UN to slam attacks

Ron Amikam reports on attack on Arabs near Teddy Stadium

Israel’s Netanyahu: Peace talks with Palestinians ‘within weeks’

Israel closes case of US activist wounded in Palestinian protest, no charges against police
— report on review of case of injured activist Tristan Anderson from Oakland, California
— Associated Press report: “Israel’s Justice Ministry declared Sunday that no indictments will be filed against police in the case of an American activist who was hit by a tear gas canister and left comatose during a violent demonstration in the West Bank last year.”
— “Israel has said its forces were responding to attacks by violent demonstrators who were ignoring an order declaring the area an off-limits closed military zone.”
— “There were around 400 protesters at the demonstration where Anderson was injured in Naalin last year, the military said at the time. Some of them threw rocks at troops, who used riot gear to quell the unrest, it added, without elaborating.”

Israel: Third TNT-laden barrel washes ashore — on public beaches
— Haaretz: “A barrel packed with explosive charges washed ashore yesterday on Palmahim beach, some 10 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, two days after two other barrel bombs were found on the Ashkelon and Ashdod beaches”
— “Police said after the first barrels were found Monday that they originated in Gaza and were intended to explode next to a ship or near beachgoers. Islamic Violent Extemism claimed responsibility for the barrels found Monday.”

US: Easing of Gaza blockade would help Israel counter Goldstone report

Gaza:  Human Rights Watch rejects Hamas’ claims on rockets
— BBC News: “Human Rights Watch has rejected claims by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that it did not target civilians during the war in Gaza a year ago.”

— “‘Hamas’ claim that rockets were intended to hit Israeli military targets and only accidentally harmed civilians is belied by the facts,’ the New York based group said.”
— ” ‘Civilians were the target, deliberately targeting civilians is a war crime.’ ”

— “A UN-backed report accused both Hamas and Israel of committing war crimes.”
— “A former international war crimes prosecutor, South African Judge Richard Goldstone, investigated the offensive and said crimes had been committed on both sides.”
— “The UN General Assembly demanded that both sides launch independent investigations into their behaviour during the offensive, called Operation Cast Lead by the Israeli Defence Force.”