AFTER days of empty streets and shuttered shops, Gaza City sprang back to life on Thursday during a fragile UN-negotiated humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel to halt cross-border fire. 
 
The Islamist movement and Israel began observing the five-hour ceasefire at 0700 GMT, after 10 days of violence that has killed at least 230 Palestinians and one Israeli.

And hours later the ceasefire appeared to be holding despite reports that three mortar rounds fired from Gaza hit southern Israel.

The people of Gaza City immediately took advantage, taking to the streets in their cars and forcing police to try to negotiate the traffic jams that suddenly formed.

And outside banks in the city, crowds of hundreds of people massed on ATMs, eager to withdraw money to buy supplies before the five-hour truce ended.

“I’ve been borrowing money from people to get by, and now I’m going to be able to pay them back,” said Abdul Qassam Ataneh, waiting outside a branch of the Bank of Palestine.

“The truce is a chance for people to get out of their homes and get money and supplies.

“Ramadan comes with a lot of expenses,” he added, in reference to the ongoing Muslim month of fasting.

But two and a half hours into the truce, three mortar rounds were fired from Gaza into the southern Israeli region of Eshkol, the Israeli military said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility from militants in Gaza.

Both sides are working towards another ceasefire plan, with an Israeli official telling AFP that both sides have agreed to another ceasefire beginning at 0300 GMT.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that Israel and Hamas “have agreed upon a ceasefire that will begin at 6:00am tomorrow”.jjm-hmw/jad/bpz

Before the mortar attack, Mohamed Nasr said he was happy with the brief truce, but wished the hours were longer.

“It’s not enough. People need to go out and get supplies and to get their belongings. It should have been from 7am until dusk,” he told AFP.

“We’ve been stuck in our houses during this war, because of the violence. It’s like living under curfew.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/fivehour-cease-fire-on-the-gaza-strip-interrupted-when-three-mortar-rounds-fired-into-southern-israel/story-fni0xs63-1229692697672

Hamas does not want peace with Israel, not ever, not on any terms.
They broke away from the PLO for that very reason. They did not want to be part of a 2-state peace deal.

There can never be Israel/Palestine peace until Hamas is gone. Eventually the population of Gaza will tumble to this fact and vote them out . . .if they get the opportunity.

Hamas is merely symptom of the brutal occupation.

A slightly different perspective:

Ilan Pappe - Israel’s incremental genocide in the Gaza ghetto



Quote:

The Zionist strategy of branding its brutal policies as an ad hoc response to this or that Palestinian action is as old as the Zionist presence in Palestine itself. It was used repeatedly as a justification for implementing the Zionist vision of a future Palestine that has in it very few, if any, native Palestinians.

Also, this is more a thinking globally thread - moved.

Are you the same person who identifies himself as the Grand Duke Imam or something? You have the same icon.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 3:08pm:

Are you the same person who identifies himself as the Grand Duke Imam or something? You have the same icon.

No, that is a guy called Mahdi having a tantrum.

polite_gandalf wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 3:01pm:

Hamas is merely symptom of the brutal occupation. A slightly different perspective: Ilan Pappe - Israel’s incremental genocide in the Gaza ghetto Quote: The Zionist strategy of branding its brutal policies as an ad hoc response to this or that Palestinian action is as old as the Zionist presence in Palestine itself. It was used repeatedly as a justification for implementing the Zionist vision of a future Palestine that has in it very few, if any, native Palestinians. Also, this is more a thinking globally thread - moved.

Brutal occupation?
Israel left Gaza in 2005 after a deal was struck trading land for peace.
Hamas never honoured that agreement.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 2:54pm:

Hamas does not want peace with Israel, not ever, not on any terms. They broke away from the PLO for that very reason. They did not want to be part of a 2-state peace deal. There can never be Israel/Palestine peace until Hamas is gone. Eventually the population of Gaza will tumble to this fact and vote them out . . .if they get the opportunity.

The killing of Jews is all Hamas is interested in.
The sooner the handwringers and apologists come to terms with this simple fact the better.

HAMAS IS THE AGGRESSOR!!!
Mindless, stupid, uncaring, demented....

Grendel wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 5:12pm:

HAMAS IS THE AGGRESSOR!!! Mindless, stupid, uncaring, demented....

A bit like people who believe using a large, bold font makes their lies any more true.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 5:33pm:

Grendel wrote on Jul 20th, 2014 at 5:12pm: HAMAS IS THE AGGRESSOR!!! Mindless, stupid, uncaring, demented.... Really? A bit like people who believe using a large, bold font makes their lies any more true.

If you honestly think that you probably need help...
nope...  make that definitely.  :D :D :D
People usually use fonts and highlights etc for the purpose they were created for.  I do.  ::)

Ps.
I didn't use bold, I did use underline though...
For the purpose it was created.  ;)

Grendel wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 5:42pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jul 20th, 2014 at 5:33pm: Grendel wrote on Jul 20th, 2014 at 5:12pm: HAMAS IS THE AGGRESSOR!!! Mindless, stupid, uncaring, demented.... Really? A bit like people who believe using a large, bold font makes their lies any more true. If you honestly think that you probably need help... nope...  make that definitely.  :D :D :D People usually use fonts and highlights etc for the purpose they were created for.  I do.  ::)

What purpose is that? Emphasis? Other people manage to make an emphatic point without assaulting the eyes of readers. Perhaps you could give it a go.

If your eyes feel offended you could always close them.

In the words of Mark Twain...

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

Hope that's big enough to avoid missing it, and small enough so your eyes aren't offended. :D ;D :D ;D :D

ps.  Anytime you feel capable of addressing the actual topic... go right ahead. I did.  ::)

chicken_lipsforme wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 4:38pm:

Israel left Gaza in 2005 after a deal was struck trading land for peace. Hamas never honoured that agreement.

A deal?  ;D

You are gravely mistaken - Israel withdrew unilaterally, there was no deal.

What did happen though was that Hamas was democratically elected to rule gaza, and fatah conspired with Israel and the US to violently overthrow them - which they failed. The war against hamas has continued unabated since.

war, aggression, firing guns, rpg's. 

its addictive. whats the alternative for a palestinian in the camp.
the excitement of opening their red cross rations?

Hamas are never going to stop. what would they do?
go and work at the local woolies. those hot heads probably love all the fuss and excitement. its the civilians of palestine who should be attacking them. They get to do the suffering

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 5:33pm:

Grendel wrote on Jul 20th, 2014 at 5:12pm: HAMAS IS THE AGGRESSOR!!! Mindless, stupid, uncaring, demented.... A bit like people who believe using a large, bold font makes their lies any more true.

Grendel needs all the help he can get.

Don't take away his large bold font.

Next, you'll be criticising his highly amusing picture of a flexible man looking up his own bottom.

polite_gandalf wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 3:01pm:

Hamas is merely symptom of the brutal occupation. A slightly different perspective: Ilan Pappe - Israel’s incremental genocide in the Gaza ghetto Quote: The Zionist strategy of branding its brutal policies as an ad hoc response to this or that Palestinian action is as old as the Zionist presence in Palestine itself. It was used repeatedly as a justification for implementing the Zionist vision of a future Palestine that has in it very few, if any, native Palestinians. Also, this is more a thinking globally thread - moved.

Hamas is a symptom of Islam. Abu, who had no connection with the area at all, once explained that it is important for them to not allow the war to end because a glorious Islamic victory over the Jews is inevitable and just around the corner. They just have to keep the war simmering until that can happen.

He did not say these things because an Israeli drove a tank through his house. He said these things because he is a Muslim.

...and HAMAS in it's Charter states that all this will continue until Judgement Day.

http://i.imgur.com/XFBR06N.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Hm0eVWq.jpg

freediver wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 6:47pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Jul 20th, 2014 at 3:01pm: Hamas is merely symptom of the brutal occupation. A slightly different perspective: Ilan Pappe - Israel’s incremental genocide in the Gaza ghetto Quote: The Zionist strategy of branding its brutal policies as an ad hoc response to this or that Palestinian action is as old as the Zionist presence in Palestine itself. It was used repeatedly as a justification for implementing the Zionist vision of a future Palestine that has in it very few, if any, native Palestinians. Also, this is more a thinking globally thread - moved. Hamas is a symptom of Islam. Abu, who had no connection with the area at all, once explained that it is important for them to not allow the war to end because a glorious Islamic victory over the Jews is inevitable and just around the corner. They just have to keep the war simmering until that can happen. He did not say these things because an Israeli drove a tank through his house. He said these things because he is a Muslim.

Hamas' power is a symptom of hopelessness. How's that hardon for Putin going?

freediver wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 6:47pm:

Hamas is a symptom of Islam. Abu, who had no connection with the area at all

Yes, FD - thats kinda the point.

Just like some of Israel's most militant supporters have no connection with the area at all. People like you, for example.

The civilians of Gaza, as I said above, will eventually realise that a terrorist government is a blind alley and, if they are allowed a free vote, will kick them out.
Even Arabs can't be so stupid as to continue down the same path indefinitely.
Until that time I hope and believe Israel has the strength and will to defend itself with all the force at its disposal.

polite_gandalf wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 10:14pm:

freediver wrote on Jul 20th, 2014 at 6:47pm: Hamas is a symptom of Islam. Abu, who had no connection with the area at all Yes, FD - thats kinda the point. Just like some of Israel's most militant supporters have no connection with the area at all. People like you, for example.

well not sure which country is firing the rockets....at Gaza.. perhaps you know??..

we on here only have opinions we have no power to stop or start any war..

but you can pretend we do if it helps you to be a martyr to the cause...

will these people ever learn to live side by side.??

is anyone at all doing anything to find PEACE IN OUR TIME...do you have the answer gandalf?  because if you do you are wasted on here..

as it is you do not wish to see the othersides point of view anymore than anyone else...

tit for tat doesnt work it never has...

I think you ,will have to get used to it as it seems to me it will go on for a long time to come.and everyone will always have an opinion..

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 21^st, 2014 at 10:12am:

The civilians of Gaza, as I said above, will eventually realise that a terrorist government is a blind alley and, if they are allowed a free vote, will kick them out. Even Arabs can't be so stupid as to continue down the same path indefinitely. Until that time I hope and believe Israel has the strength and will to defend itself with all the force at its disposal.

they like fighting they like living in dirty bomb sites..with blood on the walls.. they must do....

they had a 5 hour cease fire and the Hamas broke it after 150 min...3 rockets fired..

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 21^st, 2014 at 10:12am:

The civilians of Gaza, as I said above, will eventually realise that a terrorist government is a blind alley and, if they are allowed a free vote, will kick them out. Even Arabs can't be so stupid as to continue down the same path indefinitely. Until that time I hope and believe Israel has the strength and will to defend itself with all the force at its disposal.

HAMAS should be wiped out by the jews.
Not for firing rockets as much as for their absolute lack of intelligence.
Actually , no need to wipe them out. Critters that dumb could be used in medical facilities and we could let the chimps go live in Palestine. The medical experiment  chimps (as creatures of higher intelligence) would be more worthy lifeforms.

cods wrote on Jul 21^st, 2014 at 10:43am:

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 21st, 2014 at 10:12am: The civilians of Gaza, as I said above, will eventually realise that a terrorist government is a blind alley and, if they are allowed a free vote, will kick them out. Even Arabs can't be so stupid as to continue down the same path indefinitely. Until that time I hope and believe Israel has the strength and will to defend itself with all the force at its disposal. they like fighting they like living in dirty bomb sites..with blood on the walls.. they must do.... they had a 5 hour cease fire and the Hamas broke it after 150 min...3 rockets fired..

and what's hamas self identity ..................... they are muslims.

cods wrote on Jul 21^st, 2014 at 10:40am:

well not sure which country is firing the rockets....at Gaza.. perhaps you know??.. we on here only have opinions we have no power to stop or start any war.. but you can pretend we do if it helps you to be a martyr to the cause... will these people ever learn to live side by side.?? is anyone at all doing anything to find PEACE IN OUR TIME...do you have the answer gandalf?  because if you do you are wasted on here.. as it is you do not wish to see the othersides point of view anymore than anyone else... tit for tat doesnt work it never has... I think you ,will have to get used to it as it seems to me it will go on for a long time to come.and everyone will always have an opinion..

Wow cods, I literally lost count of the number of strawmen jammed into that one post. Are you sure you were responding to the right poster?

I believe your sentiments need to be directed at the two posters who are blindly framing this as purely and simply as evil islam vs good non-islam. People who are a million miles away who have probably never met an Israeli or Palestinian in their life. Its they who are boldly claiming they know the oh-so-simple formula for peace, not me.

wally1 wrote on Jul 20^th, 2014 at 7:36pm:

http://i.imgur.com/XFBR06N.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Hm0eVWq.jpg

More nice pictures Wally.
Of democracy in action that is.
Not everyone in Israel has to tow the party line and agree with the government.
That's what democracies do.

MOLOCH (MOLECH).

http://www.new2torah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/molech_sacrifice.jpg

—Biblical Data:
In the Masoretic text the name is "Molech"; in the Septuagint "Moloch." The earliest mention of Molech is in Lev. xviii. 21, where the Israelite is forbidden to sacrifice any of his children to Molech. (palestinian or goyem children are ok by khazar imposter jew standards ~ edit: IITL)Similarly, in Lev. xx. 2-5, it is enacted that a man who sacrifices his seed to Molech shall surely be put to death. Then, curiously, it is provided that he shall be cut off from the congregation. In I Kings xi. 7 it is said that Solomon built a high place for Molech in the mountain "that is before Jerusalem." The same passage calls Molech an Ammonite deity. The Septuagint as quoted in the New Testament (Acts vii. 43) finds a reference to Moloch in Amos v. 26; but this is a doubtful passage. In II Kings xxiii. 10 it is stated that one of the practises to which Josiah put a stop by his reform was that of sacrificing children to Molech, and that the place where this form of worship had been practised was at Topheth, "in the valley of the children of Hinnom." This statement is confirmed by Jer. xxxii. 35. From II Kings xxi. 6 it may be inferred that this worship was introduced during the reign of Manasseh. The impression left by an uncritical reading of these passages is that Molech-worship, with its rite of child-sacrifice, was introduced from Ammon during the seventh century B.C.

Quote:

Just like some of Israel's most militant supporters have no connection with the area at all. People like you, for example.

I'm militant? Or are you subtly trying to say the Israelis are all pussies?


Quote:

Even Arabs can't be so stupid as to continue down the same path indefinitely.

1400 years is a long time.


Quote:

Wow cods, I literally lost count of the number of strawmen jammed into that one post.

You only managed one Gandalf. Two if I want to be generous. Even at strawmen you fail.


Quote:

Its they who are boldly claiming they know the oh-so-simple formula for peace, not me.

I'm still waiting on your explanation of a "useful intervention" in Syria, beyond describing it as an intervention that is not in Syria.