Israeli soldiers clash with Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades in southern Gaza

GAZA,  – Islamic Hamas militants and Israeli soldiers clashed on Friday in east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades and witnesses said.
The armed wing of the group, which controls the Gaza Strip, said in a leaflet faxed to reporters that its militants confronted an Israeli army force in [...]

Iran criticizes West over Israeli-Palestinian issues

TEHRAN,  – Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on Tuesday criticized the West over its supports for Israel against Palestinians, the state-run satellite Press TV reported.
Larijani attacked the Western countries for giving Israel all the military support it needed to launch its deadly operation on the impoverished Palestinian Gaza Strip, the report said.
“Despite suffering heavy damages, [...]

Israel to pay UN for damages suffered in Operation Cast Lead

UNITED NATIONS,  – Israel has agreed in principle to pay the United Nations for damages the world organization and its personnel suffered during the December 2008-January 2009 attacks in Gaza, a UN spokesman said  on Thursday.
Martin Nesirky, spokesman for UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, told reporters that compensation was among the topics discussed between the UN [...]

Hamas opens first police academy in Gaza

GAZA, — The deposed Hamas government opened the first police academy in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, nearly a year after Israel staged a three-week military operation against the territory.
Senior officials of the sacked Hamas government in Gaza attended the opening ceremony of the police academy, which recruits 200 students as the first batch.
Once they [...]

Israeli F-16 warplane, tanks strike eastern, southern Gaza Strip

GAZA, — Israeli F16 warplanes and tanks had carried out late on Friday night five successive air and ground strikes on targets in eastern and southern Gaza Strip, wounding five people, medics and witnesses said.
The witnesses said that Israeli F16 warplane fired two missiles, while tanks fired two shells that all landed at empty zones [...]

Israeli army storms Gaza Strip

GAZA,  — A group of Israeli soldiers, backed by armored vehicles and two armored bulldozers stormed early on Monday an area east of Jabalia town in northern Gaza Strip, local sources and witnesses said.

A vehicle carrying Israeli soldiers passes a group of Palestinians, after Jewish settlers scuffled with Palestinians, Nov. 30, 2009 (AP)
The witnesses said [...]

Soldiers mutiny raises concern in Israel

JERUSALEM  – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced concern on Tuesday over a mutiny by pro-settler soldiers that raised fears of more rebellion in the ranks in any future land-for-peace moves with the Palestinians.
“Our security and existence depend on the Israel Defense Forces,” Netanyahu told reporters. “If you promote disobedience, you will bring about the [...]

Time to move peace process forward : Ehud Barak

JERUSALEM, — Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told visiting U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell Thursday that time has come to advance the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
“The time has come to move forward to start the process and pass all of the obstacles, because this will help everyone,” Barak was quoted by local daily Ha’aretz [...]

Israel’s Tavor Assault Rifle (TAR-21) gives the bullet to U.S. made M-16

SHIVTA, Israel — Fondly patting his dust-covered rifle at the end of day-long shooting practice, Israeli platoon commander Afik Soher says he wouldn’t replace it with any other. Israel’s army is gradually phasing out the veteran US-made M-16 assault rifle in favour of the modern, home-produced Tavor, which has become a symbol of pride for the [...]

Palestinians fear Israeli-U.S. understanding over settlements

RAMALLAH,  – The Palestinians are afraid that Israel and Washington would reach an understanding allowing the continuation of settlement activities in the West Bank, a local newspaper reported on Saturday.

Israeli soldiers use a truck to fire a water cannon containing a foul smelling substance ’skunk’ during a protest against the controversial Israeli barrier in [...]