Gaza

[dreamer_easy]

Obama urges Israel open Gaza crossings to aid

Under the border with Egypt, Gaza's smugglers return to work.

(tbh I'm not clear on why Israel blockaded Gaza in the first place, nor why it has maintained the blockade. As a military tactic, it's an obvious flop.)

UN fears 'systematic war crimes' during Gaza offensive

Shooting and shelling go on in Gaza, ceasefire or not. "We are a strong people. We are still alive, but nothing has changed. We are still shooting at them and they are still shooting at us. The borders are still closed, and we cannot leave. I think we will go on like this for ever." :(

Comments

[mondyboy.livejournal.com]

On the War Crimes issue, this pro-Israel article is interesting.

http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/the_ngo_front_exploitation_of_international_law

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Nah, it's a bit rubbish - it makes the stock claim that human rights organisations ignore Palestinian abuses, which just isn't true.

[hiraethin.livejournal.com]

I don't necessarily dispute your point, but I'd be interested to see some evidence.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Fairy Nuff! Two quick examples: a 2007 AI report on factional violence in Gaza and the West Bank is a litany of human rights abuses and war crimes. More recently (30 December), HRW stated: "Firing rockets into civilian areas with the intent to harm and terrorize Israelis has no justification whatsoever, regardless of Israel's actions in Gaza". In fact, HRW wrote to Hamas on 20 November calling on them to stop.

[mondyboy.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. I thought some of the stuff on international law - quotes and all - was interesting though.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bigjobbies_/]

Muzzlewatch has some background on ngo-monitor
http://www.muzzlewatch.com/2007/06/25/ngo-monitor-attacking-new-israel-fund-human-rights-watch-and-amnesty-international/