Israel – News Stories About Israel - Page 78

Israel to Back
Soldiers Accused
of War Crimes

Jan 25, 2009 4:35 PM CST

Israel to Back Soldiers Accused of War Crimes

Government fears tribunals following civilian deaths in Gaza war

(Newser) - Special legal teams will defend Israeli soldiers against potential war crimes charges stemming from civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today, promising the country would "fully back" those who fought in the three-week offensive. "The soldiers and commanders who were sent on missions...

BBC Refusal to Air Gaza Appeal Sparks Uproar

Jan 25, 2009 8:00 AM CST

BBC Refusal to Air Gaza Appeal Sparks Uproar

Network fears appearance of bias in charged issue

(Newser) - The BBC has been lambasted by politicians, religious leaders and its own staff for the network's refusal to broadcast an appeal for Gaza aid, the Guardian reports. Executives of the publicly funded network say they must adhere to a strict code of impartiality, and that airing the appeal could be...

US Navy Hunts
Hamas Arms Ship

Jan 25, 2009 6:35 AM CST

US Navy Hunts Hamas Arms Ship

Iran sends supplies to allies in Gaza

(Newser) - An American naval force is on the trail of a ship believed to be carrying Iranian arms bound for Hamas, the Times of London reports. Iran is working to resupply Hamas fighters in the wake of the three-week Israeli assault on Gaza using vessels purportedly sent to fight piracy along...

Mitchell to Israel
Within the Week

Jan 24, 2009 3:51 PM CST

Mitchell to Israel Within the Week

(Newser) - Newly appointed Middle East special envoy George Mitchell will make his first trip to Israel next week, possibly as early as Wednesday, the Jerusalem Post reports. Mitchell is expected to meet with top Israeli officials and leaders of the Palestinian Authority. The main priority will be ensuring that the current...

New Mideast Envoy Is
Old Hand at Peacemaking

analysis

Jan 24, 2009 10:44 AM CST

New Mideast Envoy Is Old Hand at Peacemaking

Israel-Palestine negotiations just 'another assignment' for Mitchell

(Newser) - As the Obama administration’s new Middle East envoy, former Sen. George Mitchell has the toughest of diplomatic tasks on his hands: negotiating peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. But “if anyone can succeed in this difficult endeavor," it's Mitchell, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Mitchell...

Gaza Conflict Triggers Talk
of War Crimes

Jan 23, 2009 9:52 AM CST

Gaza Conflict Triggers Talk of War Crimes

With battles on pause, new fight begins over legality of assault

(Newser) - Now that its 22-day offensive in Gaza has ended, Israel is facing a new battle—over the legality and morality of its military action. Several human rights groups, in Israel and elsewhere, have accused the army of committing war crimes in Gaza's cities and denying medical care and refuge to...

Mitchell, Holbrooke Named Special Envoys

Jan 22, 2009 3:11 PM CST

Mitchell, Holbrooke Named Special Envoys

Former senator gets Mideast portfolio; ex-ambassador Afghanistan and Pakistan

(Newser) - President Obama and newly minted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton moved quickly today to build the administration’s diplomatic efforts, naming George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke special envoys, Reuters reports; both appointments were expected. Former Sen. Mitchell will focus on facilitating peace talks between Israel and Palestine, while ex-UN ambassador...

Israel Probes Phosphorus
Use in Gaza

Jan 21, 2009 10:17 AM CST

Israel Probes Phosphorus Use in Gaza

Admits deadly shells may have hit civilian areas, violating law

(Newser) - Under pressure from the international community, Israel has admitted its troops might have inappropriately used white phosphorus in attacks on Gaza, and has launched an investigation. International law only permits the caustic chemical for creating smokescreens in troop areas, which wouldn’t explain hits on United Nations facilities in Gaza,...

Israelis Near Gaza See Slim— or No—Victory

Jan 21, 2009 8:18 AM CST

Israelis Near Gaza See Slim— or No—Victory

Residents still fear rockets, think war should have continued

(Newser) - When Israel began its raid of the Gaza Strip three weeks ago, the government said its goal was to end rocket attacks and sniper fire into the country's south. Polls show that most Israelis supported the war, despite the staggering civilian casualties. But in interviews with farmers and other residents...

Israel Completes
Gaza Withdrawal

Jan 21, 2009 7:48 AM CST

Israel Completes Gaza Withdrawal

(Newser) - The last Israeli troops left the Gaza Strip before dawn today, the military said, as Israel dispatched its foreign minister to Europe in a bid to rally international support to end arms smuggling into the Hamas-ruled territory. The timing of the pullout reflected Israeli hopes to defuse the Gaza crisis...

Gaza Faces Years
of Reconstruction

ANALYSIS

Jan 20, 2009 8:34 AM CST

Gaza Faces Years of Reconstruction

Blockade, destroyed tunnels make rebuilding nearly impossible

(Newser) - Now that the guns have fallen silent in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave faces what might be the most difficult reconstruction project in recent history, writes Patrick Cockburn in the Independent. Rebuilding in the densely populated zone will face two major obstacles: the economic blockade by Israel and Egypt, and the...

Mitchell Considered
for Mideast Post

Jan 19, 2009 1:24 PM CST

Mitchell Considered for Mideast Post

Former senator's portfolio could take chunk out of Clinton's at State

(Newser) - Former Sen. George Mitchell, who led a 2000 commission examining Middle Eastern violence, is being considered as special envoy to the region by the Obama administration, the New York Times reports. The appointment of such a high-profile negotiator would signal Obama’s seriousness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but could deprive...

Israel Speeds
Gaza Pullout to
Beat Inauguration

Jan 19, 2009 9:09 AM CST

Israel Speeds Gaza Pullout to Beat Inauguration

Aim is to get troops out before Obama is inaugurated

(Newser) - Israel hastened its withdrawal from Gaza today, saying the troops could be out in time for Barack Obama’s inauguration tomorrow—assuming the Palestinians keep their end of the ceasefire. But some rockets were fired after the ceasefire was declared, and Hamas’ armed wing has promised to rearm ASAP, the...

Israeli Gains in Gaza
Are Elusive

ANALYSIS

Jan 19, 2009 7:10 AM CST

Israeli Gains in Gaza Are Elusive

Amid tenuous ceasefire, officials wonder if they have weakened Hamas

(Newser) - As the world waits to see whether the truce declared this weekend in Gaza will hold, Israelis are asking themselves just what the 3 weeks of vicious fighting has achieved. There is hope that damage to tunnels may prevent Hamas from rearming and resuming firing rockets across the border, at...

Palestinians Agree to Ceasefire

Jan 18, 2009 8:03 AM CST

Palestinians Agree to Ceasefire

Israel agrees to withdraw from Gaza if truce holds

(Newser) - Hamas and other Gaza militants have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, and will allow Israel a week to pull troops out of the area, a Hamas official said today in Egypt. Israel said it would withdraw if the truce was upheld. It had declared a unilateral ceasefire beginning early this...

Gaza Skirmishes
Defy Ceasefire

Jan 18, 2009 7:08 AM CST

Gaza Skirmishes Defy Ceasefire

Militants fire rockets; Israel responds with air strike

(Newser) - Skirmishes have continued in Israel and Gaza after Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire yesterday, the New York Times reports. Militants fired rockets at an Israeli border town, and Israel responded with an air strike. In Gaza, a lone gunman faced off against Israeli troops. Hamas has said it will fight...

Israel Quiets
Guns in Gaza

updated

Jan 17, 2009 7:05 PM CST

Israel Quiets Guns in Gaza

Goals achieved, PM says; Hamas rejects ceasefire and makes demands

(Newser) - Israel ended its 3-week assault on Gaza today by enacting a unilateral ceasefire that Hamas has vowed to ignore, Reuters reports. Israeli leaders voted today to halt the offensive, which has killed nearly 1,200 people and incited strong reactions worldwide, MSNBC reports. “Goals have been achieved and even...

Right Groups Cite Evidence
of Israeli Phosphorus Use

Jan 17, 2009 9:46 AM CST

Right Groups Cite Evidence of Israeli Phosphorus Use

UN workers say incendiary weapon used to attack Gaza compound

(Newser) - Witness accounts are adding weight to accusations by human rights groups that Israel is violating international law by using white phosphorus as a weapon against civilians, the Guardian reports. Palestinians say the incendiary shells were used to set their homes on fire and doctors report treating patients with injuries clearly...

Israel Pummels Gaza
Before Ceasefire Vote

Jan 17, 2009 8:31 AM CST

Israel Pummels Gaza Before Ceasefire Vote

2 children killed in UN school shelter: Palestinians

(Newser) - Israel launched 50 air strikes on Gaza last night ahead of a Cabinet vote on a unilateral ceasefire, the BBC reports. A tank shell hit a UN school, killing at least two children among hundreds of people who had taken refuge there, Palestinians say; Israel says it’s looking into...

Israel Nears Decision
on Gaza Ceasefire

Jan 16, 2009 2:24 PM CST

Israel Nears Decision on Gaza Ceasefire

Cabinet may approve unilateral move at meeting tomorrow

(Newser) - Israel’s security cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss, and likely approve, a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reports. The move comes after negotiations in Egypt and the signing of an agreement with the US designed to halt smuggling of arms into Gaza. The ceasefire does not include...