Israel completes Gaza troop withdrawal
Israel said it completed a troop pullout from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip today, starting its relationship with U.S. President Barack Obama by quitting Palestinian land devastated by its 22-day offensive.
"As of this morning, the last of the Israel Defence Forces soldiers have left the Gaza Strip and the forces have deployed outside of Gaza and are prepared for any occurrences," an army spokesman said, about 13 hours after Obama's inauguration.
Israel had withdrawn most of its forces before Obama was sworn in on Tuesday, in a move analysts saw as an attempt to avoid any early tensions with his administration that could cloud the start of a new era in a key alliance.
Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, endorsed Israel's right to defend itself against rocket fire by the Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas Islamists. Obama, before taking office, declined to comment in detail on the Gaza crisis.
Addressing concerns in Israel that Obama would soften Washington's policy towards Hamas and another Israeli foe, Iran, Vice Premier Haim Ramon said: "Let's not fear President Obama.
"I am convinced that President Obama and his team want to achieve what is essential to Israel -- two states for two peoples," Ramon told Israel Radio.
Israel's attacks in an offensive it launched on Dec. 27 killed some 1,300 Palestinians and made thousands homeless. Gaza medical officials said the Palestinian dead included at least 700 civilians. Israel says hundreds of militants died.
Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians, hit by cross-border rocket fire, were killed in the conflict.
The United Nations, whose secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, toured Gaza's rubble-strewn streets on Tuesday and described the destruction he witnessed as heartbreaking, has estimated some $330 million is needed for urgent aid in the coastal enclave.
Reconstruction, if it can be launched in light of the frost between Hamas and the West, may cost close to $2 billion, according to Palestinian and international estimates.
Although aid agencies said they planned a massive inflow of supplies through Israeli crossings, help will be complicated by the Western boycott of Hamas as a "terrorist" organisation and an Israeli blockade on many items, including building materials, that can be used to make weapons.
"NEW WAY FORWARD"
Hamas, announcing a ceasefire on Sunday -- hours after an Israeli-declared truce went into effect -- had demanded Israeli troops quit the territory within a week.
The group held what it termed victory rallies in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, but many Palestinians have returned to their homes only to find they had been reduced to piles of rubble.
"We've won the war. But we've lost everything," said Nabil Sultan, commenting on Hamas's V for Victory signs as he surveyed the wreckage of his home on the outskirts of the city of Gaza. "This was my house," he shrugged, by a pile of smashed concrete.
In his inaugural speech, Obama promised to reach out to Muslims worldwide and "seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect".
Sources familiar with the matter said in Washington that Obama would move quickly to name a Middle East envoy, possibly former Sen. George Mitchell, who had tried on behalf of the Clinton and Bush administrations to bring about an end to Israeli-Palestinian violence.
In a 2001 report, Mitchell called for a freeze in the construction of Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land and for the Palestinians, who were waging an uprising, to stop attacks on Israelis.
Hailing Obama's election as "a change of historic significance", Israeli President Shimon Peres said: "What can be expected of the new president is a winning team to really rout violence from the Middle East and move the peace process forward."
Bush's efforts, late in his second term, to reach at least a framework peace deal in renewed talks between Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority, fell short of any agreement.
Immediate diplomatic steps were likely to focus on turning the Gaza truce into a long-term ceasefire, and more comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian peace moves would have to await the outcome of Israel's Feb. 10 parliamentary election.
Hamas has said it was continuing talks in Cairo over Egypt's proposal for a deal that would guarantee the reopening of Gaza border crossings, including a terminal on the Egyptian frontier that had served as the territory's main exit to the outside world.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has declared his government's mission accomplished -- noting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt and European countries to prevent Hamas rearming.
That would mean as yet unspecified measures to stop Hamas smuggling weapons across the Egypt-Gaza frontier, a sensitive matter given Cairo's past efforts to play down its scope.
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Joe Xuereb
Jan 22nd 2009, 10:08
The Maltese (with a lot of help from the Knights to be sure) resisted the Turkish onslaught and we would never describe them as terrorists. Hamas is doing the same thing. What is so difficult to grasp that. Now, I am sure the Hamas does play dirty sometimes. But that is the nature of the monster. I have no truck with Hamas believe me. But in this life we have to strive for one thing only. We have nothing else. That thing is called justice. And Palestine belongs to the Palestinians. How they fight for their country is their business. It is another issue.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 22nd 2009, 09:52
@ Alex Ellul. When did the Maltese fight the British?
Do you not think you entirely missed Ruth Goldirova's point?
Joe Xuereb
Jan 21st 2009, 21:30
The Jews are indeed not the Zionists. But while the Zionist bangs his head against the wall (a sign of serious disturbance in some circles), the Jews fund his energies.
Ruth. R. Goldirova
Jan 21st 2009, 20:26
Certainly, the Jews are like Christians,-Muslims,Atheist. Hindu- etc... The Jews peoples have all right to live and feel safe in any corner of the globe. The question is-Why it has the to be the Palestinians’ territory? The UK must answer this question.
Please note: Jews and Zionists are not the same thing. The latter is a racist movement that would eventually end the Jews-state.
Brian. J. Camilleri - St. Andrews
Jan 21st 2009, 17:29
Israel turned Gaza from a big prison into an abattoir.
Killing octogenarians, kids and women is A CRIME OF WAR.
If zeitgeist is to let thuger’s rules, this is a slur for international community.
Both the EU and USA appear unable (or willingly?) to deter Israel fails to face Zionists, the international community should at least dismember Israel from the United Nations.
Mr. Obama has a many tasks a head, most importantly ending Israel occupation and give room for lasting peace. No peace in the Middle East is instability worldwide.
No occupation means no wars means peace. This is simple equation not chemistry
Ruth. R. Goldirova
Jan 21st 2009, 16:36
Part 2
1597, Cremona, Pavia & Lodi
1614, Frankfurt
1615, Worms
1619, Kiev
1649, Ukraine
1654, Little Russia (Ukraine)
1656, Lithuania
1669, Oran (North Africa)
1670, Vienna
1712, Sandomir
1727, Russia
1738, Wuerttemburg
1740, Little Russia (Ukraine)
1744, Bohemia
1744, Livonia
1745, Moravia
1753, Kovad (Lithuania)
1761, Bordeaux
1772, Jews deported to the Pale of Settlement (Russia)
1775, Warsaw
1789, Alsace
1804, Russian villages
1808, Russian villages and countrysides
1815, Lubeck & Bremen
1815, Franconia, Swabia & Bavaria
1820, Bremes
1843, Russian border with Austria & Prussia
1862, Tennessee (USA), by military order of General Grant
1866, Galatz, Romania
1919, Bavaria (foreign born Jews)
1938-45, Axis-Nazi controlled lands
1948, Arab countries.
Could this sort of actions by the Jews be the reason they have been run out of every country on earth, except the United States, and there is not much doubt that one day America will realize just how much the Jews despise and loth them; and they too will rise up and drive them out.
Ruth. R. Goldirova
Jan 21st 2009, 16:34
Part 1
The no hostile Arabs, Muslim and Jew relation is the longest yet least discussed after 1948. (why?- the answer is the Zionist)
Expulsions of Jews from host districts, cities and countries:
554, Diocese of Clement (France)
561, Diocese of Uzes (France)
612, Visigoth Spain
642, Visigoth Empire
855, Italy
876, Sens
1012, Mainz
1181, France
1290, England
1306, France
1348, Switzerland
1349, Heilbronn (Germany)
1349, Hungary
1388, Strasbourg
1394, Germany
1394, France
1422, Austria
1424, Fribourg & Zurich
1426, Cologne
1432, Savory
1438, Mainz
1439, Augsburg
1446, Bavaria
1453, Franconia
1453, Breslau
1454, Wurzburg
1485, Vincenza (Italy)
1492, Spain
1495, Lithuania
1497, Portugal
1499, Germany
1514, Strasbourg
1519, Regensburg
1540, Naples
1542, Bohemia
1550, Genoa
1551, Bavaria
1555, Pesaro
1559, Austria
1561, Prague
1567, Wurzburg, Genoese Republic
1569, Papal States
1571, Brandenburg
1582, Netherlands
1593, Brandenburg, Austria
l borg
Jan 21st 2009, 15:50
GOOD NEWS THAT THE ISRAELI ARMY PULLED OUT
BUT ARE THEY GOING TO PAY FOR THE WILFUL DAMAGE WORTH 2 BILLION?
TO MR VELLA
YES PERSONNALLY THE WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF THE STATE OF ISRAEL WAS NOT CREATED AT THE PALESTNIAN EXPENSE
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THE ARABS WILL HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND THE WORLD SITUATION WILL BE VERY HOSTILE
Joe Xuereb
Jan 21st 2009, 15:18
The Jewish diaspora suffered a deplorable, terrible Holocaust during World War Two. The USA, with Britain's connivance (who else?) created the State of Israel. Many saw (and still do) this as a gesture to alleviate said suffering. Cynically, maybe, I think the powers were merely investing in a solution to situations as they deemed would unfold years later. And so it came to pass. Nothing Biblical in that. Whether this is fact, right off the mark, or a fevered imagination is irrelevant. Because the truth is, for that decision (creation of the State of Israel)has paid, is paying, and will continue to pay a heavy price. Two points emerge however, both factual: 1) When the Russian floodgates opened and Jews clamoured (Russian Jews? English Jews? Maltese Jews? that's a joke isn't it?), clamoured to go to Israel at last. The sudden large influx created a problem and they were not made welcome (in Malta we know the feeling except the influx has no right here). 2) If the creation of the State of Israel was to mitigate a suffering suffered, how long is Israel going to use this ticket to ride on, ie our guilt and hand-wringing in solidarity?
Alex Ellul
Jan 21st 2009, 14:48
@Ruth R G: When did we Maltese fight the British?
Regarding Israel's non observance of many UN resolutions: Hamas have refused only one UN resolution; the recognition of the state of Israel, as established by UN resolution in 1948. That is why there have always been wars in the middle east since this date, and the reason behind the monster of terrorism specifically targeting innocent civilians all over the world, even Arabs against Arabs.
Antoine Vella
Jan 21st 2009, 14:40
Goldirova
"Israel is the only country which has no borders and that was illegally established on other people’s land..."
So, are you saying that israel should not exist?
Ruth. R. Goldirova
Jan 21st 2009, 13:29
‘In a 2001 report, Mitchell called for a freeze in the construction of Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land and for the Palestinians, who were waging an uprising, to stop attacks on Israelis.’
The Zionists dream of a Jew-state for worldwide Jews is unrealistic and comical.
Every settlement built means thousands of Palestinians left homeless and living miserably.
Israel is the only country which has no borders and that was illegally established on other people’s land. Moreover, Israel is the only country that never observed one single of the too many UN resolutions! (Above the law?)
Resistance is a natural under occupation.
Americans fought for their freedom, so did the German, The French, the Maltese and the Spanish...etc. All these countries achieved their freedom and defended their lands at a very high price. Palestinians just doing the same.
Were we terrorists when we fought the French, the English and the Turks?
Palestinians just doing the same.