This article, from October 03, 2006, ran on IsraelNationalNews.com. The article addresses the dangerous situation created by renewed infighting among the rival Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah loyalists, and it's potential implications on kidnapped Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
Now, just as then, only to a far broader and potentially more dangerous degree, the infighting, and resulting overthrow of Gaza, by Hamas, has everyone especially concerned for the safety and return of Gilad Shalit. We must do everything within our abilities to ensure that pressure is applied at all levels to initiate action directed toward the immediate release of Gilad.
There is no time to waste. Gilad is a pawn in a vicious game of hostage taking and pro-longed blackmail by these so-called "Palestinian" terrorist thugs. They are not "freedom fighters", or "militants", or "soldiers". They are vicious, cold blooded killers, capable of any, and every evil act, from "homicide bombers", to kidnapping, to "blackmail", and most certainly, brutal murder. I cannot stress enough the urgency of this situation. Please get involved !! Do it because it's right !! Do it now !! Please !!
Please read the original article below:
Latest Report from IsraelNationalNews.com:
Gaza Infighting Renewed, Causing Increased Concerns for Shalit
11:05 Oct 03, '06 / 11 Tishrei 5767
by Hana Levi Julian
Renewed clashes between Fatah and Hamas left three dead and at least 22 wounded in Gaza Monday night. Israeli officials are concerned about how the situation impacts IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
The inter-faction violence which began Sunday escalated into what Palestinian Authority officials were concerned might once again raise the threat of a civil war, especially with the realization of the large number of weapons available in Gaza. Terrorists have smuggled thousands of arms across the border from Egypt in recent months.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, are concerned that the sharp increase in fighting between Hamas and Fatah gunmen in Gaza will negatively impact efforts towards obtaining Shalit’s release.
The soldier was abducted on June 25th by Hamas terrorists in a raid on an IDF outpost near the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza. His whereabouts and condition are still unknown.
Two Fatah members were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Khan Younis, an attack the faction blamed on Hamas. Three people were wounded in a firefight at Shifa Hospital in Gaza between the family of a dead Fatah gunmen and Hamas police officers. Fatah gunmen killed a waiter in Jericho when he refused to close his restaurant and comply with a strike organized by the minority faction to protest violence in Gaza. Two of PA Deputy Prime Minister Nasser al-Shaer’s bodyguards were shot by unidentified attackers in Shechem, according to the Associated Press. Al-Shaer was not present at the time.
Some 5,000 Fatah protestors in Rafah called for the resignation of PA Interior Minister Said Siyam and demanded the Hamas-led police force disband, leading to more violence. One police officer and a demonstrator were killed and at least 18 others wounded in the clash between police and protestors, according to Reuters.
Nabil Amr, a top aide to President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) said in Ramallah that Abbas was ‘seriously considering’ forming an emergency government or calling early elections to put an end to the ongoing conflicts and bloodshed. “Decisions should be taken in a short period of time,” he said.
The two factions have been battling for control of the PA government since Hamas took over from Fatah as majority party after a landslide victory at the polls in January.
An announcement last month by leaders of both factions that a new unity government would be formed proved meaningless after Hamas insisted it would never agree to formally recognize Israel’s right to exist, one of the demands of the Quartet Forum.
The United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, which comprise the Quartet, have also demanded that Hamas disarm and renounce violence as well as promise to uphold agreements signed by the previous PA administration.
Despite a statement released a week ago by Hamas officials that the impasse between Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Abbas would be overcome within two weeks, little progress has been made.
Free: Gilad Shalit: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Gilad Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Gaza Infighting Renewed, Causing Increased Concerns for Shalit
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
End of Days Talkspot: SHALIT IN GOOD HEALTH
End of Days Talkspot: SHALIT IN GOOD HEALTH
The terrorist group, "The People’s Resistance Committee", in Gaza, were quoted in this article, posted on IsraelNationalNews.com, back in January 2007, to have claimed, "Gilad Shalit is in good health."
Please continue to pray for the safe return of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit !!!
Please read original article below:
Terrorist Group: Shalit In Good Health
Original post: IsraelNationalNews.com
On: Jan 09, '07 / 19 Tevet 5767
The People’s Resistance Committee in Gaza claimed Tuesday that kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is in good health. The terrorist group claimed that Shalit’s kidnappers are ready to care for him for years to come.
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped over six months ago while on patrol near Gaza.
His captors are requesting the release of over one thousand terrorists in exchange for his freedom.
Free: Gilad Shalit: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Gilad Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
End of Days Talkspot: Kidnapped Shalit Caught in a PA Power Struggle
This is an older article, from IsraelNationalNews.com, on Gilad Shalit's on-going, desperate plight, which I had posted, back in January 2007.
Original Post: IsraelNN.com
By: Hana Levi Julian
On: January 18, 2007 / 28 Tevet 5767
I just wanted to take a moment to say, what a wonderful idea this blog is. A blog dedicated to the righteous effort, to bring the continued, desperate, plight of Gilad Shalit, to the attention of those, who are in a position, to secure his release, is a dynamic undertaking, and worthy of our best efforts.
As we approach the one year anniversary of Gilad's capture, by terrorist thugs, we must do everything within our abilities to bring him home safely, to his loved ones.
I would like to thank, Mr. Bagel, of "Bagel Blogger" blog fame, and all the other fantastic co-authors of this newly launched blog, "Free Gilad Shalit", and I would also like to encourage everyone, who visits this blog, to get involved. Every effort is greatly appreciated, and desperately needed at this time.
Please read my earlier post below:
Kidnapped Shalit Caught in a PA Power Struggle
Original article on:IsraelNationalNews.com
On: Jan 18, '07 / 28 Tevet 5767
by: Hana Levi Julian
IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit [pictured] has become a pawn in the power struggle between the Fatah and Hamas factions, charges a third terrorist group, which participated in his capture last June.
The Army of Islam said in a statement Wednesday that Shalit is in Hamas’ sole custody at present, adding that the group led by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh is using the hostage in its bid to retain control of the government.
Israel has agreed several times to a prisoner swap deal brokered by Egyptian intelligence officials with Shalit’s captors, only to have it called off at the last minute by Hamas.
The primary bone of contention between Israel and Hamas rests on the issue of which prisoners to release and how the swap for Shalit will be handled. Israel wants Shalit freed before it hands over the terrorist prisoners, and Hamas is refusing to do so. Hamas has also demanded the release of prisoners which Israel has said it will never free, due to their long-time status and the severity of their crimes.
“The issue of the captured soldier has become a political case for the sake of narrow factional interests,” read the statement. “Muslims are being prevented from gaining their freedom because of Fatah and because of Hamas.”
Army of Islam terrorists contend that when Shalit was captured last year, an agreement had been made between the three groups involved in the raid that there would be no movement on the soldier’s fate – toward freedom or death – while there was still a chance the Israelis would come through with a prisoner swap.
Now the group says both Hamas, and the Fatah faction headed by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), are using the issue of the offer by Israel to fight each other, rather than focus on freeing PA prisoners.
“Either Fatah uses it to get at Hamas, or Hamas uses it to get at Fatah,” accused the third terrorist group, which urged that Hamas allow the PA Prisoner Affairs Minister the authority to make the decisions and bring the parley to an end.
After numerous meetings between the two factions failed to produce a coalition unity government in the PA, Abbas finally announced last month that he was calling for new elections. Abbas' announcement reignited the bloody street battles between Fatah and Hamas terrorists that began almost a year ago, after Hamas won control of the PA government in a landslide.
As the internal PA violence intensifies, once again people on both sides of the Gaza border speculate whether “this time” the PA will break apart in an outright civil war.
Some 30 PA residents have been killed in the fighting since the new elections were announced, and Shalit remains in captivity.
End of Days Talkspot: Kidnapped Shalit Caught in a PA Power Struggle
Free: Gilad Shalit: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Gilad Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Monday, June 18, 2007
Report: Israel offered deal for Schalit
Israel has offered to remove the economic embargo on Hamas if kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit is freed and Kassam rocket attacks stop, the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Sunday morning.
The message was reportedly conveyed to the Islamic group via Arab mediators.
A Hamas source in the Gaza Strip was pessimistic about the seriousness of the proposal, telling Al-Hayat that it was an Israeli attempt to "put out the feelers" on the now Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
He said that Israel had proposed a removal of the embargo, which has been in place since the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006, allowing the delivery of merchandise to Gaza.
However, according to the report, Israel remained steadfast in its refusal to transfer frozen tax revenues or other funds in exchange for Schalit.
On Thursday, diplomatic sources said that in light of the current infighting in Gaza between Fatah and Hamas, the frequency of negotiations over Schalit's release had gone down.
According to the sources, contacts between Hamas and Egypt - who has been serving as mediator between Hamas and Israel - would only resume once the situation in Gaza stabilized.
Meanwhile, the Hamas source added that kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston would be freed by this weekend. He said that the kidnappers, who belong to the Durmush clan, recently contacted Hamas, who threatened that if Johnston were not released within 48 hours Hamas would use force.
Another Hamas official said that Johnston, who has been held since March, would be freed soon.
"All I can say is that Alan will be free very soon," Islam Shahwan, spokesman for Hamas in Gaza, said Sunday.
However, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, downplayed hopes for his quick release, saying, "there is nothing new yet regarding Alan."
Bagelblogger: I find the timing of this announcement just doesn't sit well with the events on the ground. Are we witnessing the Arab media trying to write the narrative fo the weeks ahead?
Reference:
JPost: Report: Israel offered deal for Schalit
Free: Gilad Shalit
: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Gilad Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Hamastan Roundup
You have to appreciate the irony of this, especially since I've been saying all along about them much of what the Pals are now saying about each other:
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday rejected a request by the head of the Arab League to meet with supreme Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, an Abbas aide said.
Abbas received a call from Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who offered to arrange such a meeting, said the aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Abbas vehemently turned down the offer, the aide said.
Earlier Saturday, Abbas adviser Yasser Abed Rabbo told a news conference that the president will not engage in a dialogue with killers, referring to Hamas.
It was just peachy meeting with Hamas when they were only the killers of Jews. But now that they are the killers of Palestinians, well, that's a different story.
And the truths just keep on coming. Hamas has suddenly discovered the means to release BBC reporter Alan Johnston, whom they've been holding in the first place.
The captors of kidnapped journalist Alan Johnston have promised to release the British Broadcasting Corp. correspondent within 24 hours, a source close to the negotiations said Friday.
Hamas' armed wing issued a statement Friday, saying it was in an advanced stage of negotiations and "begun practical steps to secure [Johnston's] release."
In Damascus, Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal said he was in contact with Hamas operatives in Gaza to secure the release of Johnston.
[...] Johnston, 45, was snatched in Gaza three months ago by a group believed to have links to Hamas, and a message purporting to be from his captors has demanded the release of Islamic prisoners, including a cleric being held in Britain.
Translation: "Holy crap, our PR is bad after murdering all those Fatah guys and civilians. Let's throw the infidels a bone to shut them up."
Meantime, the West Bank Palestinians apparently look down their noses on the Gazan Palestinians. Wow. Even the Pals don't like the Pals.
Ramallah residents Thursday dismissed the possibility of Hamas taking over the West Bank. In Gaza, "there are tribes and clans like in the Jahiliyyah [pre-Islam] era," said one, Qassem. "Here, in the West Bank, we're more civilized, educated. It's a different nation, not like in Gaza."
And here is a comment on the Hamas military methods (along with that infamous mercy, justice, and tolerance thrown in):
"They're using the same methods as the Israelis, and even worse," a senior Palestinian source said. "They declare an area a closed military zone and shoot anyone who goes out into the street. Hamasniks strip Fatah men they capture, humiliate and beat them. They go from door to door with lists to hunt down Fatah people and execute them."
Fatah's military defeat was mainly caused by the split in the organization, he said: "All the forces are identified with Fatah, but each force fought independently against Hamas, which was united and better trained."
Fatah officials in the West Bank spoke with contempt about Hamas in Gaza. "Let's see how they manage now, after they've won, running things like water and power from Israel," one official said. "How will they cooperate with Israel over the border crossings?"
Yes, the world is going to wait for Gaza to sink into the mire. But here's the thing: Hamas has already proven itself adept at smuggling cash, weapons, and munitions into Gaza. Now that they control the border crossings previously run by the corrupt Fatah thugs, will it be an open faucet? Will Egypt continue to turn a blind eye to the arming of Hamas?
Iran shows no sign of turning off the money spigot any time soon. I'm not going to jump on the "Wait for Hamas to crash and burn" bandwagon. I think that they have just managed to subjugate an entire people. They're rounding up weapons from anyone outside Hamas. The first step in a dicatatorship: Remove the opposition party. Second step: Disarm the populace. Third step: Initiate your new laws, enforced by your thugs, who are now the only ones in your state allowed to bear arms. Hamas has initiated or completed all of these steps.
Watch for the Islamic theocracy to arise from the ashes of Gaza. The people are used to being subjugated by their leaders. They will bow just as easily under the Hamas yoke, particularly after we see a few public executions and beatings for "un-Islamic" activity.
This is a bad, bad, bad thing for Israel, the region, and the world, as I've said several times already. The U.S. and EU are now going to pressure Israel into easing up on the West Bank to make Hamas look bad. Well, PIJ is still in the West Bank, and so is Al Aqsa, and so is Hamas, and the PFLP. They're still trying to launch terror attacks. And they're still shooting, stoning, and knifing any Israeli that happens to be in the path of a terrorist with a stone, a knife, or a gun.
The regional balance has been completely altered. Iran has its front in Gaza, ready to go at a moment's notice, in concert with its front in Lebanon. And then there's Syria, waiting to jump in as well.
Dangerous times.
Free: Gilad Shalit: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Gilad Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Noam Shalit fears son's fate in light of Gaza chaos
Father of kidnapped IDF solder Gilad Shalit, who has been held in Gaza for almost a year, says family has not received any information regarding his son
Internal clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza have aroused concern for the fate of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Gilad's father, Noam told Ynet on Thursday that his family was completely in the dark regarding his son's well-being.
"We did not receive any information regarding the stance of the organizations that are holding him, if they are even still relevant," Shalit said, adding that he did not get any information from sources who have been holding negotiations with the kidnappers, such as Egypt.
June 25 will mark one year since Shalit was captured by terrorists who infiltrated Israel and attacked an IDF post in the southern Gaza Strip, near Kibbutz Kerem Shalom.
Over the past few days, the situation in Gaza has continued to intensify, with Hamas taking over all the buildings overlooking Fatah's Preventive Security Service headquarters in Gaza City, and claiming to have taken over part of the compound on Thursday.
Over three weeks ago, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that negotiations for the release of Shalit were put on hold, due to the shaky security situation and the violence in the Gaza Strip.
"Talks were put on hold for now, following internal Palestinian complications and tensions that were created," Aboul Gheit said.
Reference:
Ynet news: Noam Shalit fears son's fate in light of Gaza chaos
By Ahiya RavedFree: Gilad Shalit
: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Noam Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Egyptian official: Israel behind stagnation in Shalit talks
Negotiations for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have stagnated because of Israel's "stubbornness," a senior Egyptian official told the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat.
"The stagnation is the result of Israel's stubbornness and refusal to be flexible. When the concessions are only made by one of the sides, this is not a negotiation, but a dictating of terms," he stated. (Roee Nahmias) [END]
Ynet News: Egyptian official:Israel behind stagnation in Shalit talksFree: Gilad Shalit
: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Noam Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Minister Boim: Gaza ceasefire hinges on release of Shalit
Immigration and Absorption Minister Zeev Boim said Tuesday that Israel would agree to a ceasefire with Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip only part of a deal that includes the release of Gilad Shalit.
"In the last ceasefire, Gilad Shalit was kidnapped and any serious initiative requires his return first," he said. (Anat Barshkovsky)
[END]
References:
Ynet News: Minister Boim: Gaza ceasefire hinges on release of ShalitFree: Gilad Shalit
: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * ceasefire * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Hamas: if any harm comes to our leaders, Israel can forget about Gilad Shalit
Hamas military wing spokesman Abu Obaida said Saturday that if any of Hamas leaders are harmed, Israel can "forget about Gilad Shalit".
"Suicide bombings in Israel are just a matter of time and proper conditions…we can fire rockets even beyond Ashkelon, and we will resume suicide bombings and kidnappings," added Obaida. (Ali Waked)
Article from Ynet News
Free: Gilad Shalit: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Noam Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
Friday, May 25, 2007
Negotiations on Shalit suspended
Egyptian foreign minister tells reporters talks on kidnapped Israeli soldier put on hold due to violence in Gaza
The negotiations for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have been suspended due to the situation in Gaza, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Friday.
"The talks have been put on hold for now, in light of the situation and the internal Palestinian tensions," Aboul Gheit told reporters in Cairo.
Hamas and Fatah representatives left for the Egyptian capital on Friday in hope of reaching an Egyptian-mediated truce between the rivaling factions. The representatives are also scheduled to discuss the escalation with Israel.
Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said that his country played a key role "in the rehabilitation of the relations within the Palestinian people… so that they can return to the negotiating table with Israel."
The London-based Arabic language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi quoted a Palestinian official as saying that Suleiman is going to pressure Hamas and Fatah to bring the Shalit affair to an end.
Article from Ynet News
Free: Gilad Shalit: Gilad Shalit * Gilad and Israel * Gilad * Jewish Soldier and Gilad * Kidnapped Soldier * Justice * Hostage * Kidnapped Israeli * Noam Shalit * IDF* Terrorism* Jewish * Hamas * Jew
