It's absolutely clear that the last big news story of 2008 is already the first big news story of 2009. We are now in the 12th straight day of Israeli attacks on Gaza, and instead of dying down, the violence is actually escalating. This is a crisis, and we have seen several before it in this same region. This is merely a continuation of a long saga that flared up in 1948 (and one could certainly make an argument that it's been going on long before that). By the latter part of Season 5, you will have a crystal clear understanding of this major news story. Until then, you can always rely on the BBC to provide excellent background information on major events, including this current crisis. You can delve deep into understanding this crisis by clicking here. Today, things are seriously spiraling out of control. As of today, it has been reported that up to 600 Palestinians have been killed since the attacks began, and of course the largest number of those are innocent civilians. Earlier today, at least 30 people were killed and 55 injured when Israeli artillery shells landed outside a United Nations-run school in Gaza, killing several children. As the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has already stated, this has become a "full-blown humanitarian crisis." Israel's goal is to take Hamas (a group labeled by Israel, the U.S., and the E.U. as a terrorist group, yet is seen by others as freedom fighters) out of the Gaza Strip once and for all. However, the civilian death-toll has been incredibly troublesome as a result. To read the latest on the attack that hit the UN-run school this morning, click here.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Gaza, We Have a Problem: Casualties Mount in a Major Crisis
It's absolutely clear that the last big news story of 2008 is already the first big news story of 2009. We are now in the 12th straight day of Israeli attacks on Gaza, and instead of dying down, the violence is actually escalating. This is a crisis, and we have seen several before it in this same region. This is merely a continuation of a long saga that flared up in 1948 (and one could certainly make an argument that it's been going on long before that). By the latter part of Season 5, you will have a crystal clear understanding of this major news story. Until then, you can always rely on the BBC to provide excellent background information on major events, including this current crisis. You can delve deep into understanding this crisis by clicking here. Today, things are seriously spiraling out of control. As of today, it has been reported that up to 600 Palestinians have been killed since the attacks began, and of course the largest number of those are innocent civilians. Earlier today, at least 30 people were killed and 55 injured when Israeli artillery shells landed outside a United Nations-run school in Gaza, killing several children. As the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has already stated, this has become a "full-blown humanitarian crisis." Israel's goal is to take Hamas (a group labeled by Israel, the U.S., and the E.U. as a terrorist group, yet is seen by others as freedom fighters) out of the Gaza Strip once and for all. However, the civilian death-toll has been incredibly troublesome as a result. To read the latest on the attack that hit the UN-run school this morning, click here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
36 comments:
Hamas is evil. They deserve what Israel is doing to them. (Not the civilians).
Hamas is certainly an interesting organization to say the least. In any case, it is hotly debated as to what exactly Hamas is. In the eyes of Israel and U.S., and the E.U., Hamas is a terrorist group. In the eyes of others, Hamas is a legitimate political party. In the eyes of others, Hamas is a group of freedom fighters. In the eyes of many civilians in Gaza, Hamas is a humanitarian organization, and in fact they have done much over the years in building schools and providing humanitarian aid to residents. In any case, with such a complicated organization, it is important to investigate all sides of the equation before passing judgement. Perhaps it may be good to look at the BBCs background of Hamas (which is in my post).
My uunderstanding after reading that article, is that Hamas is pro attacking Israel, while Fattah is not. When Hamas beat Fattah in elections rocket attacks on Israel increased. The rocket attaacks escelated recently resulting in the invasion to get rid of Hamas...
What are the differences between Fattah and Hamas other than their view on Israel attacks?
speaking in general terms, the commonality between Hamas and Fatah is they both have the same goal: an indepedent state of palestine. the path in that direction is the difference. hamas does believe in a more violent path to this goal. fatah, on the other hand, although having carried out violent attacks in the past, tends to lean towards settling the palestine issue at the negotiation table. currently palestine is a house divided. the west bank is largely under the control of fatah and the gaza strip is under the control of hamas. interestingly, fatah has been rather quiet on recent attacks. in fact, fatah and hamas have even engaged in violent flare-ups against each other. there's so much more, but that's the cliff notes.
Hamas seems to be a complicated issue that nobody really knows the best way to deal with them and yet still have fair agreements with Israel. The humanitarian efforts that Hamas has done certainly potray them as the benevolent and only are trying to help the Palestenians by righting the wrongs of the past administrations of the Fatah. However infront of all this you see the militant side of Hamas that whatever it does seems to be seen as a poor reflection by western nations and Israel(notice U.S. and E.U.) or can recieve support from some extremist and radical states as well as countries that do not care for the state of Israel. How you see Hamas also affects your view of Israel and the nations the ally with either side.
hamas had been launching missiles against israel. a cease fire had been attempted, but hamas wouldn't stop. it was at this point that israel started to attack back. it is a problem that innocent civilians are dying, but israel is trying to defend itself.
Terrorism is rediculous. The only people who benefit from it are the terrorists themselves, and most of them die in the act. All terrorists need to grow up and realize how stupid and immature of a thing it is that they are doing to the world.
This is horrible! I knew that there has been a long fight in that part of the world, but it seems to be getting out of control. It is sad that so many innocent people are being killed and injured by the terrorism! ..its kinda scary my neighbors two daughters live in Israel.
This is so sad. And i don't see why people think they are a "freedom group." And its not just affecting people there because i heard that it has escalated so far that it divided Chicago in two.
Dang. Violent stuff. Bombs, attacks, low water and food supply, low medical aid, no power, etc. It is logical that Israel finally fought back, but what happens now? Is there just a continuation of a war? They gonna blow each other up? or one will have to give in? This is all a crazy mess. I don't even know what to say.
it is amazing to me that people can kill innocent people. it is one of the reasons i am so proud to be an american
i also am not to familliar with the Hamas terrorist organizantion, are they similliar to Al-Kita**?
Well, this certainly is an interesting turn-out for the conflict. Israel is being very brash in their decision to launch attacks on Gaza. Rooting out a "terrorist group" and launching air strikes on innocent civilians are two very different things. It seems like Israel wants to find justification for their actions, despite their failure to accomplish anything, other than the deaths of hundreds. Iraq had a political party that was taken out by the United States and they've plunged into a civil war...This isn't the same situation, but we shouldn't involve ourselves in the political affairs of another country. However, Israel has a motive for attack, because of the previous assaults by both the Hamas and Fatah. It's confusing, I wish I knew more, but we'll have to wait till Season Five I guess
In response to many comments I've heard over the last few years concerning Isreal & Palestine, I truly & fervently believe this is not an issue of right or wrong. Both sides have committed unsavory acts. This is in my opinion a humanitarian crisis. Hamas & the Isrealian Government are not suffering directly from the violence, the people are. These are living, breathing, thinking, feeling human beings. These are people with homes and children & lives. Right now, two groups of clashing authority are heaping suffering onto an innocent people. Where could these people go when total violent attacks begin? Hospitals are overflowing, children have nowhere to play or sleep because mortars crash into houses. I do not see the goal these attacks are trying to acheive. Neither Israel or Hamas will give because neither are directly suffering. It's inhuman at best. I'd also like to point out that while I am in no way condoning Hamas & their actions, consider this: Hamas provides welfare to an overwhelming majority of struggling Palestinian families who have difficult times finding jobs due to their inability to find work on their side of the wall. What would we do in that position? Not accept welfare? I don't think so.
this is crazy that this is still going on 12 days later. and an outrageous number of civilian deaths, and also that the violence is escalating? but wouldn't taking the hamas out of Gaza be bad for Gaza?
i think that from this article that the hamas are mean and they like to attack isreal and the hamas deserve everything that happens. but fattah is against attacking isreal which is good
wow, this is seriously breaking my heart when i read this stuff:[ I honestly didn't know about ALL this going on, and im sorta disappointed in myself that i didn't. I mean, okay i understand why Israel is doing this to Hamas. Its confusing but i think i understand what they are doing it and yeah they deserve it... but it still kills me that so many civilians and ah children are being killed and everyone is terrorized constantly. So many people have no hope anymore. I wonder what would we do in that situation? I just think it is sad but im a little confused. How did this war start in the first place?? Is it just over the land of the Gaza strip or something more? Man this is so much worse than i thought!
It really sad that this is still going on and hasn't gotten any better.I wonder when it will end? or if it will get any better?
what are they even fighting over?! i was going to say they should have all the people evacuate to a safe place till the fighting ceases a little or they agree to that ceasefire thing but apparently thats what the school was and that got hit! this is crazy! what is even the point?
I was watching the korean news and it was awful! I saw a huge fire burning the buildings and all these small children bleeding everywhere...It looked so awful. I never thought it could be this big globally.
I was reading the comments, and i laughed at how funny anyone can belive that hamas is the victim. a bunch of people feel sorry for eveything that has happened to hamas. i aplaud Israel for striking BACK at hamas. Israel is the best, and i wish i can join them.
it seems that most of the comments have seen the innocent palestinian civilians of gaza as the real victims... and in fact they are.
aww. this is so sad how people could just kill other innocents like that. what has the world become? The fact that the Red Cross said that it has become a "full-blown humanitarian crisis" makes everything more serious and worse then it already is. I don't see how people can just watch about 600 people die. Oh and that video on "Strike at Gaza school 'kills 40'" is sad too. People are being carried and ambulances look like they are being blocked from where they need to go because of so many running around on the streets. The Hamas also sound like bad people as well. The fact that they smuggle weapons into the Gaza is bad enough.
this matter is unbelievable! hamas are very pro-attacking israel and i think this crazy. the rest of the world should view them as a terrorist group. the fattah on the other hand are not as bad in my opinion. the hamas may think they have a right to do this but look at all the innocent lives they are taking away. this is morally wrong in my opinion. i definitley dont see them as a "freedom group". you dont kill innocent people who have never harmed you. i mean seriously. get a grip!
I am tired of Isreal being the one that is being attacked. As allies, we need to offer more support to them, and they have every right to fight back. As far as I know they are limiting civilian casualties, and are handling this in a reasonable manner. What is worse? Them losing live by terrorists, or losing lives defending their country?
okay well first i have a few questions,
1.where is Hamas? is it in isreal?
2.you said this started in 1948, then why 12 days ago were they bombing again?
3.in the last article avaible it said that after Hamas bombed the school they found out that the ones bombing them were at a location next to the school, and when they bombed the school there were two of their own men in there?
right?
and this morning was the first time on fox 5 or channel 2 that they spent even a mere five minutes on gaza..it was on there before but was just a quick little 30 sec. tid-bit.
I wish Israel's allies would help them in a time like these. Isn't that what thyre there for in the ifrst place? It just all seems a little rediculous to me.
miss jackson, hamas is not a place it's an organization, an organization that is currently in control of the gaza strip... technically this is disputed territory within israel, but to say it's in israel would be a bit of a misnomer. it's complicated, but you'll understand it in just a few weeks.
my mention of the year 1948 is because this is the year israel was formed, and literally within hours the region was at war, and it's been on again, off again ever since. it's flared up again recently because hamas has been launching rockets into israel from gaza, so this is in retaliation.
also, i think you're getting the story mixed up, hamas didn't bomb a school yesterday, israel did, and it was being used as a civilian shelter by the UN.
also, i'll just say that it's not as easy as some of you say for israel's allies to jump in and help them out, especially since israel is currently on the offensive. israel has a very strong military that they are using, so they are far from helpless. in fact, they're one of only 9 countries in the world that has nuclear weapons, which actually complicates things even further. what we need to be talking about is, not escalation, but a cease-fire, and then the ever elusive solution. the french and the egyptians have been the most proactive in this by drawing up a cease-fire deal that they will present to both sides tomorrow. so let's see what happens with that.
This is really weird that this is actually going on right now!
I don't watch the news much so i didnt find out anything until a few days ago. I am a little confused but i think I get the main point of it all.
That video showing how that school was bombed looked so chaotic, we should all be really thankful that we aren't in that kind of situation. I can't imagine what I would do. But at the same time, wouldnt the government be able to comtrol and calm down the people a little better than letting them run around in the streets making everything even more out of control??
Sapp
what government? palestine has been denyed sovereignty in their own home for over a half a century now...
I don't understand why Hamas is still fighting against Israel it is clear that they are getting their butt kicked and they have no way of beating Israel. Plus, if something were to happen to Israel then The U.N would step in and Hamas would really be screwed.
I really don't see any solutions to his crisis anytime soon because the goal of Hamas is to wipe Israel off the map and they promised to never completely stop fighting until a Palestinian state is formed. But the party was elected into the legislative council by the people, so this is democracy and the people obviously wanted Hamas in. Its just sad that the innocent people are the biggest victims like in the school bombings.
What is the United State's official stance on this subject because all I know is that Obama doesn't want to comment right now.
the united states supports a two state solution.
This is awful and really sad. Terriosim really needs to stop. I think it is so sad that innocent people are being killed when they didn't do anything. Its really getting out of control. I don't understand everything but hopefully after season five i will.
it seems like problems like this are uncontrollable and the outcome is always depressing. i realy need to understan more of the background so i can see the causes....
but it seems like isreal is trying to find justification for whaat they have done...it seems kind of confusing but ill just have to wait for season 5!
This story is extremely disheartening and surreal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/world/09fighter.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
i cant even imagine what it would be like to live in such conditions. 800 innocent Palestinians killed in 14 days!!! the inhumane behavior on both sides is awful. over winter break i actually had the opportunity of meeting two families from Israel while i was in florida. one family had two little boys (abt 5 and 8 yrs old). as i was talking to them, the older one mentioned how they had to go home the next day and that he was scared to go back. that broke my heart. i really hope that both sides can agree to a ceasefire, so that innocent children dont have to be afraid of their home!
Post a Comment