Vital Perspective

Santa Olmert

Two thousand AK-47 automatic rifles, 20,000 magazines and two million rounds of ammunition. This is Ehud Olmert's Christmas present to P.A. Chairman Mahmoud 'Abbas' troops in the Gaza Strip. In addition to his approval of this arms shipment by Egypt Israel's Prime Minister has a bag full of goodies for the Palestinians including the release of prisoners and an ongoing policy of restraint in the face of continuous rocket attacks against Sderot.  The goodwill gesture of arming Fatah forces so they can (hopefully) use the weapons against radical opposition was tried before in 1994. The Oslo Agreement permitted 7,000 guns to enter Gaza and Israeli right wing groups chanted the slogan "Don't hand them guns!" We know how it ended.

Two Fatah Gunmen Killed by Hamas After Ceasefire Goes into Effect in Gaza

MediaLine reports that a ceasefire between Fatah and Hamas went into effect Tuesday night at 23:00. Since that time, armed gunmen from both sides have been withdrawing from the streets of Gaza City. An operations room manned by security personnel from each group was set up to respond to outbreaks of violence.

According to the agreement, only police are allowed to be armed in the streets. Despite this, two Fatah gunmen were shot and killed in a street skirmish with Hamas operatives early this morning. Six people died yesterday before the truce went into effect, bringing the week's death toll to 16.

Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh made a television address imploring his constituents to end the internecine warfare and unite against Israel instead. He also used the opportunity to reject the call by President Mahmoud Abbas for early elections, calling it "unconstitutional" and accusing the U.S. of working behind the scenes to bring down his government.

Violence Intensifies in Gaza: Hamas Gunmen Open Fire on Women, Children

MediaLine reports that the violence in Gaza is intensifying, despite efforts by Hamas and Fatah leaders to rein in their armed wings. Hamas gunmen opened fire on a group of women and children to the north of Gaza City just a short while ago. Numerous women were wounded according to eyewitnesses.

The group was attempting to prevent Hamas from breaking into Palestinian General Intelligence headquarters where Palestinian Authority armed personnel were holed up. The women and children were barred from advancing and then gunmen opened fire on them, eyewitnesses said.

A panel of security officials from Egypt has met a team of Palestinian government staff in a bid to end the violence. According to Palestinian Interior Ministry spokesman Khalid Abu Hilal, the sides agreed a three point plan:

1. All armed forces return to their bases
2. Release all those kidnapped and currently held by Palestinian factions
3. Create a joint committee of all armed forces to discuss a path out of the deadlock.

Residents of Jabaliyya, to the north of Gaza City, have fled their homes fearing they may become the next victims of mortar attacks by Hamas' Executive Force. The force, established as a direct challenge to the official Palestinian security forces has been involved in heavy exchanges of gunfire with Palestinian intelligence officers in the area.

The violence reached a new peak today when the street battles moved inside Gaza's A-Shifa medical complex. Mortar shells were fired inside the hospital’s emergency room. A member of Hamas, Ismail Abu Al-Kheir was killed and 11 people were wounded during the battle.

Nine schoolchildren were wounded and two armed officers were also killed today. The dead men were loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The bodies of two intelligence officers were discovered in a dumpster after they had been kidnapped.

Hamas Accuses Fatah of Ambush on Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh's Convoy

Gunmen attacked a convoy carrying Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh during the night as it entered Gaza from Egypt, killing a bodyguard and wounding his eldest son. Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan accused a senior Fatah leader, Mohamed Dahlan, of being behind the attack on Hania's convoy. "He is a leader of a coup and rebellion. He led a campaign of incitement against the government,'' Radwan said

MediaLine reports that Haniyeh says he knows who attempted to kill him when he crossed the border from Egypt into Gaza on Thursday night. Gunmen killed his bodyguard and injured his son and political adviser during the attack. Aides to Haniyeh are pointing the finger at Fatah after a week of violence between Hamas and Fatah.

The attempt on Haniyeh's life came at the end of several tense hours in which he was refused entry back into Gaza. It is widely believed the order to close the border to prevent his re-entry came from Jerusalem, however, Washington suggested the instructions were handed down by Abbas.

Egyptians Stop Palestinian PM at Rafah Border, Confiscates Millions in Cash

Israel agreed Thursday evening to allow Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh to cross from Egypt into Gaza, but without the $35 million in cash he had brought from a tour of Muslim states. Defense Minister Amir Peretz had earlier instructed the IDF to stop Palestinians entering Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, in order to prevent Haniyeh from crossing with the money.

Israel Radio reported that the money would be left in Egypt, and on Friday transferred to the bank account of the Arab League. Israeli security sources said that the decision to close the border was made to stop the cash transfer, not to prevent Haniyeh's return.

The head of Egypt's intelligence service, Omar Suleiman, had contacted Israeli officials in order to find a solution that would allow Haniyeh to return to Gaza. Hamas members, angered by the ban on Haniyeh's money, burst into the Rafah border terminal, sparking a gunbattle with guards before taking control of the crossing. Travelers at the terminal dove for cover and a top Hamas official furiously tried to persuade the gunmen to disperse. Following the gunbattle, European monitors said the border would not be reopened Thursday, though Haniyeh might still be able to cross from Egypt.

In the chaos of the attack, two loud explosions rocked the area, and security officials said Hamas had blown a hole in the border fence about one kilometer from the terminal.

Fatah Supporter Throws Grenade into Hamas Rally; Abbas Plans Major Address

MediaLine reports that a member of the Fatah faction hurled a hand grenade into the center of a Hamas demonstration in Gaza earlier today. Two Hamas members were wounded and the attacker was subdued by Hamas security personnel.

The incident has further increased the already rising tensions between the two factions and comes amid media reports that Fatah troops loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and supported by the U.S. are deploying throughout Gaza. Abbas has scheduled a major policy address for Saturday. He is expected to announce the dissolution of the Palestinian government, a move opposed by Hamas.

Hamas-linked Judge Executed by Fatah in Street as Retribution for Children

Palestinian gunmen fatally ambushed a Hamas-linked judge and terrorist commander outside of a courthouse early today, escalating tensions in Gaza. The shooting came two days after the killing of the three young children of a Fatah-allied Palestinian intelligence officer, which sparked fresh conflict between Hamas and Fatah.

Palestinian security officials said the slain man was Bassam al-Fara, 30, a jurist at the Islamic court and a Hamas commander who belongs to the largest clan in the southern town of Khan Younis. In a statement faxed to reporters, Hamas openly accused what it called a Fatah "death squad" in al-Fara's killing.

"This is an ugly crime committed against one of the field commanders of Hamas' military wing and one of the prominent figures in Hamas," Barhoum said. "The fingers that shot him are the same fingers that were involved in the killing of previous Hamas leaders. Hamas is not going to forget the blood of its members. It is going to pursue and bring those who were involved in today's crime to justice."

Fatah spokesman Tawfik Abu Khoussa rejected the accusations. "We condemn all acts of anarchy, whatever may be behind them. We call on the brothers in Hamas to stop firing accusations before the investigation," he said.

Witnesses to the shooting said the four gunmen calmly ate breakfast at a food stand as they waited for al-Fara outside the courthouse. When al-Fara emerged from a taxi, three of the men grabbed him and forced him onto his knees, while the fourth pulled out a weapon and shot him. The attack left the sidewalk riddled with bullet holes.

Bush Frustrated with Palestinian Terrorists Undermining Olmert's Overtures

Earlier today, President Bush participated in a joint press conference in Estonia with President Ilves. Following a question from the AP, Bush expressed his frustration and dissatisfaction with Palestinian terror groups in Gaza that undermine Israeli overtures to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas:

We're trying to help get a democracy started in the Palestinian Territory. Prime Minister Olmert has reached out at one point to Prime Minister Abbas -- President Abbas. And you know what happens as soon as he does that? Extremists attack, because they can't stand the thought of a democracy. And the same thing is happening in Iraq. And it's in our mutual interest that we help this government succeed.

Clearly, Bush is referring to the ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas, Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades among others. Just yesterday, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert delivered a very important speech in which he said that "the cessation of terrorism and violence will enable us to offer you a series of steps, which will be taken in joint coordination, in order to facilitate the improvement of the Palestinian population's quality of living, which was severely affected as a result of our need to take defensive measures against your terrorist actions."

Among these steps would be a significant reduction in the number of roadblocks, an increase in freedom of movement in the territories, facilitation of movement of people and goods in both directions, improvement in the operation of the border crossings to Gaza, and release of Palestinian funds for the purpose of alleviating the humanitarian hardship which many of you suffer.

Of course, there still remains the problem that the Palestinian Authority is led by Hamas, which refuses to abide by the demands of the Quartet to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept all prior agreements. While there may be some diplomatic progress through the ceasefire, we should not get our hopes up for a lasting peace and the fulfillment of the two-state solution until those preconditions are met.

UPDATE 11/28 @ 12:22: Since Sunday's ceasefire took effect, terrorists have fired at least a dozen rockets into Israel.

Haniyeh Cancels Seven Nation Fundraising Junket, Citing Rafah Restrictions

MediaLine reports that Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh has canceled plans for a fundraising trip through the Arab world, citing restrictions impacting the Rafah crossing. Haniyeh could have received VIP treatment that would have allowed him to proceed, but said he would not travel until all Palestinians were able to use Rafah. It remains closed because Israel is not permitting European monitors who oversee Rafah to cross from Israel to Gaza.

Haniyeh's plans had called for a month of travel through seven Arab nations in order to raise money for the Hamas-led government and to discuss efforts to form a unity government with Fatah. The Palestinian volleyball team was forced to cancel its trip to the Asian Games qualifying matches as did its soccer team earlier this month.

More Deaths as Gaza Rocket Tally Breaks 1,200 Mark Since Disengagement

More than 1,201 Qassam rockets have been launched by the Palestinians from Gaza since disengagement in August 2005. Israel relocated nearly 9,000 residents from Gaza in late August, granting the Palestinians independence to govern themselves. In return, the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority has permitted terror groups to stockpile weapons, launch Qassam rocket attacks and to intentionally target innocent Israeli civilians.

Since Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza, terror from the strip has increased. Within the last eight months four civilians have died and dozens wounded as a result of Qassam and mortar fire. A total of ten civilians have died as a result of Qassam and mortar fire launched from Gaza into Israel. An additional seven were killed prior to disengagement by rockets and mortars in Jewish communities within Gaza, including a foreign worker and two Palestinians. In the last week alone, almost 70 Qassam rockets were launched from northern Gaza killing two Israeli civilians.

Under the control of the Hamas government, Palestinians are now capable of launching Qassam rockets into the coastal town of Ashkelon, which lies 8 miles from northern Gaza. Qassams usually can travel up to 1.8-6 miles, but Hamas' green light for continued terror against Israel has resulted in the creation of a new double-engine Qassam rocket by Hamas and the build up of Grad-style Katyusha rockets that can reach targets within 11-19 miles. In March 2006, Islamic Jihad launched a Grad-type Katyusha rocket into Israel for the first time. Four Grad-type rockets in total have been fired into Israeli territory.

All the Katyusha rockets that have been fired from Gaza were 122 mm, the same as those found on the Karin-A ship captured by Israeli authorities in 2002. The ship was carrying a supply of weapons and munitions delivered by Hezbollah and paid for by Iran. The 122-mm Katyusha rocket was widely used by Hezbollah to attack Israeli civilians in northern Israel during the Israel-Hezbollah war.

In a briefing to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on November 14, Israel Security Agency Director Yuval Diskin outlined that following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Palestinian terrorist groups have smuggled into Gaza:

• 33 tons of military-grade high explosives
• 20,000 assault rifles
• 3,000 pistols
• 6,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition
• 38 long-range Qassam missiles
• 12 shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft guided missiles
• 95 anti-tank rocket launchers
• 410 anti-tank rockets
• 20 precision-guided anti-tank missiles

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have taken a large percentage of responsibility for firing the barrage of Qassam rockets that have struck southern Israeli towns in recent weeks. Abu Obaida, spokesman for the Hamas-affiliated Izz Eddeen al-Qassam Brigades, said "It is not a secret that we are developing our military capabilities as we indeed have upgraded our Qassam rockets to the extent that it makes it easy for them to accurately hit their targets."

Terror remains rampant in Gaza to the extent that the Red Cross has temporarily ceased all Gaza activities. After two Italian Red Cross aid workers were kidnapped this week, one of which was traveling with a Canadian passport, a spokesman said that the Red Cross would only work in Gaza "in matters of life and death."

Louise Arbour, former Supreme Court of Canada and the new UN high commissioner for human rights, witnessed Qassam rocket strikes firsthand when visiting Sderot on November 21. During her tour of the western Negev four Qassams were fired from Gaza into Sderot, hitting a poultry processing plant and severely wounding Yaakov Yaakobovich. He later died of his wounds. According to UN spokesman Christopher Gunness, Arbour stated that "Qassams are illegal under international law," and that Israel "has a responsibility to defend its citizens" as long as legal measures are employed.

The imminent threat of Qassam fire originating from Gaza led the Knesset Finance Committee this week to delay increasing defense budget funds in order to allocate a sufficient amount of resources to ensure that Sderot schools are protected against the bombardment of rockets. Some classes in Sderot are currently being held in bomb shelters. One of the Qassam rockets launched from Gaza on Wednesday morning landed near the courtyard of a Sderot school before classes were slated to begin. Students at the scene were treated for shock.