Islamic State Threatens to Topple Hamas in Gaza Strip in Video Statement

THE GUARDIAN: Video issued from Isis stronghold in Syria is rare public challenge to Hamas, which has been cracking down on jihadis who oppose its truces with Israel

Islamic State insurgents have threatened to turn the Gaza Strip into another of their Middle East fiefdoms, accusing Hamas, the organisation that rules the Palestinian territory, of being insufficiently stringent about religious enforcement.

The video statement, issued from an Islamic State stronghold in Syria, was a rare public challenge to Hamas, which has been cracking down on jihadis in Gaza who oppose its truces with Israel and reconciliation with the US-backed rival Palestinian faction Fatah.

“We will uproot the state of the Jews [Israel] and you and Fatah, and all of the secularists are nothing and you will be overrun by our creeping multitudes,” said a masked Islamic State member in the message addressed to the “tyrants of Hamas”.

“The rule of sharia [Islamic law] will be implemented in Gaza, in spite of you. We swear that what is happening in the Levant today, and in particular the Yarmouk camp, will happen in Gaza,” he said, referring to Islamic State advances in Syria, including in a Damascus district founded by Palestinian refugees. » | Reuters in Cairo | Tuesday, June 30, 2015

David Cameron Condemns 'Barbaric' Missile Attack on Israel

David Cameron addresses Israeli lawmakers in the Knesset

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prime Minister David Cameron condemns "indiscriminate" attack as 50 missiles from Gaza Strip fired into southern Israel during official visit

David Cameron tonight condemned a "barbaric" missile attack on Israel that struck on the first day of his visit to the country.

Militants fired as many as 50 missiles from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, in the biggest single attack in two years. Israeli tanks responded by firing shells at a suspected launch site within Palestinian territory.

The attack came on the day Mr Cameron told the Israeli Parliament he would offer "rock solid" support to Israel in defending itself and condemned "despicable" efforts by Iran to ship missiles to terrorist groups.

The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the attack. Three of the missiles were shot down by Israeli Iron Dome system, while others fell near a petrol station, a library and on open countryside, local reports said.

Mr Cameron said: “These attacks are completely indiscriminate, aimed at civilian populations and people indiscriminately, and that is a demonstration of how barbaric they are. » | Matthew Holehouse | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron pledges 'unbreakable' support for Israel: In his first visit to Israel as PM, David Cameron condemns Iran for "despicable" terrorist ties and reveals Jewish ancestry » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent, Jerusalem | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Qatari Emir on Historic Visit to Gaza Strip
The Emir of Qatar is in the Gaza Strip. He's the first head of state to visit the territory since Hamas took control in 2007. But his visit won't be taking him to the West Bank to meet Fatah. And as Nicole Johnston reports, that's causing quite a regional stir.

Westerwelle reist in den Gaza-Streifen
ZEIT ONLINE: Kehrtwende oder politisches Manöver? Israel hat überraschend mehreren europäischen Außenministern einen Besuch im Gaza-Streifen angeboten. Bundesaußenminister Westerwelle nahm die Einladung an.

Bundesaußenminister Guido Westerwelle (FDP) und mehrere seiner europäischen Amtskollegen sind wenige Tage nach dem Einreiseverbot für Entwicklungsminister Dirk Niebel (FDP) von der israelischen Regierung in den Gaza-Streifen eingeladen worden. Westerwelle will die Einladung annehmen. Mit der Lockerung der diplomatischen Blockade habe Israel einen "Politikwechsel in Sachen Gaza eingeleitet", sagte der Außenminister. "Wenn man bedenkt, was die israelische Regierung damit auch innenpolitisch schultert, so ist das etwas, was man nur sehr begrüßen kann." Er sprach von einer "sehr guten Entwicklung, bei der auch Europa eine Rolle gespielt hat".

Die israelische Regierung hat bislang keine offizielle Stellungnahme zu der Einladung abgegeben. Nahost-Kenner sprechen von einer radikalen Kehrtwende in der bisherigen Gaza-Politik Israels. Ziel der Einladung ist es Berichten zufolge, die Außenminister davon zu überzeugen, dass es im Gaza-Streifen keine humanitäre Krise gibt. UN-Hilfsorganisationen zeichnen schon seit Jahren ein düsteres Bild der Situation im Palästinensergebiet. Die Menschen lebten in bitterer Armut, viele seien arbeitslos und von ausländischer Hilfe abhängig. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> Zeit Online, dpa | Freitag, 25. Juni 2010

Hillary Clinton Tells Israel to Stop 'Settlement Activity' and Provoking Palestine
THE TELEGRAPH: Hillary Clinton has said Israel must stop 'settlement activity' and steer clear of comments that will provoke Palestinians.

The US Secretary of State urged "bold leadership" from all sides to resolve one of the world's most intractable disputes.

Speaking at a dinner attended by the ambassadors of Israel and several Arab states, Mrs Clinton urged Israel to "refrain from unilateral statements and actions" that could undermine peace.

"Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu has embraced the vision of the two-state solution," she said.

"But easing up on access and movement in the West Bank, in response to credible Palestinian security performance, is not sufficient to prove to the Palestinians that this embrace is sincere.

"We encourage Israel to continue building momentum toward a comprehensive peace by demonstrating respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, stopping settlement activity and addressing the humanitarian needs in Gaza." >>> Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Friday, April 16, 2010

«Hinrichtungen» im Gazastreifen: Hamas beschuldigt zwei Männer als Informanten Israels
NZZ ONLINE: Die radikal-islamische Hamas hat zwei Palästinenser «hingerichtet», die als Informanten Israels galten. Sie wurden in undurchsichtigen Prozessen von Militärtribunalen «verurteilt». Menschenrechtsgruppen protestieren.

Die radikale palästinensische Organisation Hamas hat am Donnerstag erstmals seit ihrer Machtübernahme im Gazastreifen vor drei Jahre zwei Männer «hingerichtet», die als Informanten für Israel tätig gewesen sein sollen. Beide wurden 2008 und 2009 von Militärtribunalen für schuldig befunden und als Verräter zum Tode verurteilt. Die von Kugeln durchsiebten Leichen wurden am Donnerstagmorgen zum wichtigsten Spital von Gaza gebracht, wie ein Klinikmitarbeiter erklärte. >>> (ddp)/awy. | Donnerstag, 15. April 2010

Rights Groups Slam Hamas Executions
YNET NEWS: Hours after execution of two Gaza Strip residents convicted of collaborating with Israel, rights groups criticize Islamist organization in joint statement

Human rights organizations in the Palestinian Authority issued a condemnation of Hamas on Thursday following the execution of two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip convicted of collaborating with Israel.

The groups protested the fact that the two did not receive a fair legal process and noted that the act "was against Palestinian law which prohibits the execution of a death sentence without the authorization of the Palestinian president." >>> Ali Waked | Thursday, April 15, 2010

Israel Targeted by Gaza Rockets as Ashton Visits
THE TELEGRAPH: Palestinian militants fired a rocket from the Gaza Strip into a kibbutz in southern Israel, killing a Thai worker, while EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was on an hours-long visit to the area.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton Photo: The Telegraph
The rocket was launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing a Thai agricultural worker, while Baroness Ashton was visiting the Hamas-controlled enclave.

It was the first strike from the territory to cause any fatalities since the end in January 2009 of Israel's Gaza war.

An hour before the attack, the EU's top diplomat Catherine Ashton crossed into the Gaza Strip to tour UN facilities and see how the international funding was being used.

At a Gaza news conference after the attack, Baroness Ashton said: "I condemn any kind of violence, we have got to find a peaceful solution to the issues and problems."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also expressed his condemnation, saying in a statement: "All such acts of terror and violence against civilians are totally unacceptable and contrary to international law."

An unknown Gaza group, Ansar al-Sunna, claimed responsibility for the attack – launched a day before the international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators was to meet in Moscow to discuss ways to revive Israeli-Palestinian talks. >>> | Thursday, March 18, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: No crisis between US and Israel, says Barack Obama: President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that Israeli plans to build more homes near East Jerusalem were not helpful for the Middle East peace process, but he said the issue had not led to a crisis with one of the United States' closest allies. >>> | Wednesday, January 17, 2010

Israel Tells Nationals: Leave Sinai Immediately
HAARETZ: Counterterrorism unit warning of planned attacks during the upcoming Jewish holiday period.

Israel on Tuesday issued a travel warning for its nationals visting the Sinai peninsula in Egypt, advising them to leave the area immediately.

The warning came from the government's counterterrorism unit. The unit warned Israelis of planned attacks during the upcoming Jewish holiday period, which begins with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), at sundown on September 18.

The announcement mentioned tensions along the northern border of Sinai with the Gaza Strip, as well as recent threats from Hezbollah to strike at Israelis. >>> Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent | Tuesday, August 11, 2009