LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
January 27/09
Bible Reading of the
day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 10,1-9. After this the Lord
appointed seventy (-two) others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town
and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but
the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for
his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into
whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a
peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will
return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to
another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before
you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for
you.'
Pope Benedict XVI
General Audience of 03/05/2006 (trans. © copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
Saints Timothy and Titus, successors of the apostles
The community, born from the proclamation of the Gospel, recognizes that it was
called by the words of those who were the first to experience the Lord and were
sent out by him. It knows that it can count on the guidance of the Twelve, as
well as that of those who were gradually associated with them as their
successors in the ministry of the Word and in the service of communion.
Consequently, the community feels committed to transmit to others the "Good
News" of the actual presence of the Lord and of his Paschal Mystery, brought
about in the Spirit. This is clearly highlighted and visible in certain passages
of the Pauline Letters: "I delivered to you... what I also received" (I Cor 15:
3). And this is important. St Paul, it is well-known, originally called by
Christ with a personal vocation, was a real Apostle, yet for him too, fidelity
to what he received was fundamentally important. He did not want "to invent" a
new, so-to-speak, "Pauline" Christianity. Therefore, he insisted, "I have passed
on to you what I too received". He passed on the initial gift that comes from
the Lord and the truth that saves. Then, towards the end of his life, he wrote
to Timothy: "Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells
within us (II Tm 1: 14). It is also effectively demonstrated by this ancient
testimony of the Christian faith written by Tertullian in about the year 200:
"(The Apostles) after first bearing witness to the faith in Jesus Christ
throughout Judea and founding Churches (there), they next went forth into the
world and preached the same doctrine of the same faith to the nations. They then
in like manner founded Churches in every city, from which all the other
Churches, one after another, derived the tradition of the faith and the seeds of
doctrine, and are every day deriving them, that they may become Churches.
Indeed, it is on this account only that they will be able to deem themselves
apostolic, as being the offspring of apostolic Churches" .
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Missed opportunity in
Gaza.By: Yehuda Lev/Israel Opinion 26.01.09
Events in Gaza spell the end of the
beginning-Jerusalem
Post 26/01/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for January 26/09
Lebanon Rivals Adjourn
Tricky Defense Talks-Naharnet
Jumblat Accuses Bassil of Allowing Illegal Bugging-Naharnet
Bassil denies Bugging Charge-Naharnet
Hostages Freed after Police Raid Tripoli Prison to End Mutiny-Naharnet
Israeli Air Force Drops
Balloons Around Kfeir-Naharnet
Lebanon rivals in new round of defence talks-AFP
Syria eyes strategic gains after Gaza war-Reuters
Hamas offers one-year
truce with Israel
Top EU official: Hamas bears
full responsibility for Gaza war-Jerusalem
Post
Egypt offers Hamas deal
'before Netanyahu era-Israel News
Israeli Air Force Drops Balloons Around Kfeir-Naharnet
EU agrees to take Iran group off
terror list.News agencies
Israeli Army: Only 250 of Gaza
fatalities were civilians/Israel News 26.01.09
Lauder: Sanctions won't stop
Iran.Jerusalem Post
Problems Among Allies Delay Formation of Electoral
Lists-Naharnet
Officials: riot at Lebanon prison over-International
Herald Tribune
Hostages Freed after Police Raid
Tripoli Prison to End Mutiny-Naharnet
French envoy expresses desire to cooperate with Syria on Mideast ...Xinhua
Rockets Found in Iqlim Kharroub-Naharnet
11 Wounded in Clashes
between March 8 and March 14 Supporters-Naharnet
Hizbullah's Campaign on
Generalizing Resistance Concept Draws Attention-Naharnet
Moussawi: Gradual
Absorption of Political Forces Within Resistance-Naharnet
Berri: Upcoming Elections
Political Milestone-Naharnet
150 Fighters from Jibril's
PFLP-GC Smuggled to Beddawi, Naameh-Naharnet
Hamdan: We Shall Continue
to Smuggle Arms into Gaza and West Bank-Naharnet
Assad: Syria wants diplomatic ties with Lebanon
iloubnan.info - January 26, 2009, 11h20
BEIRUT - In an interview with al-Manar TV, to be broadcasted Monday at 8:30
p.m., Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Damascus stood firm in its decision
to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon, adding the Syrian ambassador to
Lebanon would be assigned soon.
Assad, for the first time, discussed the proposed Syrian-American relations with
the Obama administration. Assad talked about the Gaza assault, its relation to
Iran, and the Arab reconciliation that occurred last week at the Arab Economic
Summit in Kuwait.
The Syrian president confirmed Syria’s position from Lebanon, especially after
the election of the Lebanese president and the formation of the national unity
cabinet. He also addressed the issue of the Special Tribunal on the
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.
Lebanon Rivals Adjourn Tricky Defense Talks
Naharnet/Rival political leaders in Lebanon on Monday adjourned for more than a
month negotiations on a national defense strategy at the heart of which lies the
thorny issue of Hizbullah's weapons. A statement from the presidency said a team
of experts will be formed to examine proposals on a defense strategy, and that
another round of talks will be held on March 2 at the Baabda presidential place.
It added that participants agreed to work on the implementation of previous
agreements concerning the issue of Palestinian weapons outside the country's 12
refugee camps, which house an estimated 400,000 people.
The Palestinians themselves police the camps, but outside the camps weapons are
also held by the pro-Syrian Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine-General Command and by Fatah Intifada. Pressure has been mounting in
Lebanon to tackle the issue of Palestinian weapons outside the camps after
rockets were fired from the south into northern Israel during the Jewish state's
22-day onslaught on the Gaza Strip. Fourteen leaders from the main parliamentary
blocs are taking part in the talks chaired by President Michel Suleiman. A major
stumbling block in agreeing a common defense strategy has been the Shiite
Hizbullah group's arsenal.
Members of the Western-backed parliamentary majority say Hizbullah's weapons
undermine the state's authority, but the group refuses to disarm, arguing that
its armaments and militia are essential to defend the country against Israel.
MP Butros Harb suggested the following points as part of his proposal for a
national defense strategy:
a) Adoption of a national defense strategy that the state would commit to, in
defending Lebanon and in liberating occupied territories.
b) State to fully implement UNSCR 1701 in all its articles.
c) State to commit to Taef accords and in particular the state of truce between
Lebanon and Israel, while extending Lebanese armed forces authority over
internationally recognized borders.
d) State to strengthen armed forces by all available means.
e) State to adopt modern and advanced methods in equipping and training
military, under supervision of Lebanon's military general command.
f) Hizbullah to deliver its arms to the Lebanese military under a specific
timetable and program.
g) State to take measures in protecting Hizbullah leaders and cadres.
h) Strengthening international guarantees for Lebanon.
i) State to officially request from Syria to provide signed documents demarking
borders for Shebaa Farms.
j) State to immediately begin collecting Palestinian arms inside and outside
refugee camps as agreed to at the national dialogue.
k) State to approve draft constitutional amendment proposed by members of
parliament that calls for a parliament unanimous decision for any resolution for
settling Palestinians in Lebanon. A matter that would prevent settling
Palestinians in Lebanon.
l) Lebanon to stay away from any regional axis and announce its positive
neutrality.
m) All political parties and players to commit to all of the above in affirming
national unity and independence of Lebanon.(AFP/Naharnet) Beirut, 26 Jan 09,
16:32
Jumblat Accuses Bassil of Allowing Illegal Bugging
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on
Monday accused Minister of Communications Gibran Bassil of illegally allowing
bugging of communications. Jumblat, in an article to be published by the PSP's
weekly al-Anbaa, said Bassil is hosting a colonel from the General Security
Directorate at the ministry where he runs a network of employees "specialized in
bugging calls." The alleged colonel, whose name was not disclosed, mans an
office near Bassil's, Jumblat said. The officer is interested in information
related to the 2005 assassination of ex-primer Rafik Hariri, Jumblat said,
explaining that such information "had already been relayed to the international
commission" probing the Hariri crime. Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 20:49
Bassil denies Bugging Charge
Naharnet/Minister of Communications Gebran Bassil denied charges by Progressive
Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat that he has allowed the illegal bugging of
communications. Bassil, in a statement released by his press office, also said
the ministry is persisting with cooperation with the U.N. commission probing the
2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. He said efforts to implement law
140 aim at banning bugging centers that are not affiliated with his ministry.
Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 21:39
Hostages Freed after Police Raid Tripoli Prison to End
Mutiny
Naharnet/Police forced warden hostage-takers to release their two captives
unharmed Monday after an hours-long mutiny at the Qubbah jail in northern
Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency said. It said a police commando unit
known as the "Panthers" opened a gap in the wall separating security forces from
the prisoners.
Police commandos sneaked through this gap and ended the riot without firing a
single shot, NNA added. It said a Lebanese Red Cross team evacuated the hostages
from Qubbah prison. Several local radio stations reported that the mutiny ended
after security forces agreed to transport three inmates to Roumieh prison east
of Beirut.
Police chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi, however, denied transfer of any prisoner to
Roumieh, saying the inmates responsible for the riot were taken to another
prison "where they can be kept under strict control." The incident began at
around 5:30 pm Sunday when prison wardens were attacked and taken hostage.
"The prisoners ended their rioting and freed the two security officers who work
at the jail's pharmacy," a security official told AFP. He said the two men taken
hostage on Sunday were undergoing medical checks."They were attacked by the
inmates and suffered slight injuries to the head and neck," added the official,
who spoke on condition of anonymity. A member of the negotiating team was former
police Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ayyubi, whose son, Yehya, was one of the inmates who
led the riot, according to the official. "Yehya is serving a life sentence on
murder charges," he said. The riot at the Qubbah jail, the largest in northern
Lebanon, saw inmates set fires until the early hours of Monday before quieting
down, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. At dawn, smoke could still be
seen billowing from the second floor of the overcrowded prison, which houses 600
inmates. The inmates had demanded amnesty and reduced sentences.Universities,
schools and businesses near the prison were closed on Monday as police
reinforcements were called in.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 12:56
Top EU official: Hamas bears full responsibility for Gaza war
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Hamas bears full responsibility for the war in Gaza, a top EU official said
Monday in the Strip, calling the group "a terrorist movement."
At this time we have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas,"
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, told
reporters.
"I intentionally say this here - Hamas is a terrorist movement and it has to be
denounced as such," Michel said as he visited the town of Jabalya in northern
Gaza.
"Public opinion is fed up to see that we are paying over and over again - be it
the (European) commission, the member states or the major donors - for
infrastructure that will be systematically destroyed," he said.
Michel announced that the EU would transfer 59 million euros to the
Palestinians, half of which would go to Gaza organizations and to rest to the
West Bank and to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
He stressed that the funds would not be transferred via Hamas.
Missed opportunity in Gaza
Opportunity to deal decisive blow to Hamas missed because of lack of political
will
Yehuda Lev Published: 01.26.09, 11:17 / Israel Opinion
In the year 216 CE General Hannibal of Carthage won a great victory over Rome at
the battle of Cannae, virtually decimating Rome’s ability to defend itself. The
leader of Hannibal’s Numidian cavalry Maharbal urged him to march immediately to
attack the now vulnerable city of Rome. To his surprise Hannibal refused.
Maharbal then was quoted as saying: "Truly the Gods have not bestowed all things
upon the same person. Thou knowest indeed, Hannibal, how to conquer, but thou
knowest not how to make use of your victory.”
Hannibal’s failure to press his victory to a solid conclusion allowed Rome to
recover and eventually defeat him and much later would lead to the absolute
destruction of Carthage.
In 1982 Israel made quick and deep gains against Fatah in Lebanon during the
first Lebanon War. The IDF eventuality surrounded the entire PLO leadership in
west Beirut and all that was required was a final push to end the group’s
existence. But due to international pressure Fatah was allowed to exile itself
to other places across the Arab world, particularly Tunisia where Yasser Arafat
and the Fatah leadership reestablished themselves.
Twenty-four years later Israel was goaded into a war in Lebanon again. Again,
great and overwhelming force was used, but it was used piecemeal and with an
overemphasis on airpower over ground forces. Despite this the IDF had the
opportunity to destroy or at least decimate Hizbullah, but due to lack of
political will failed to do so.
Now in the winter of 2008-2009 we have fought a war against Hamas with a much
stronger, better trained and reformed IDF. Any action we took met with
inadequate resistance and the expected rocket and mortar counterattacks, though
harsh, were only a fraction of what was expected. Like in Lebanon in 1982, due
to international pressure and lack of political will by our leaders, an
opportunity to make a symbolic and strategic blow to Islamic extremism by
destroying Hamas and returning Gilad Shalit was missed. This was despite the
clear ability of our military to do so.
The irony is that if we had pressed our advantage in 1982 it is more than
conceivable that there would not have been a 2006. It is also more than
conceivable that with a stronger political will in 2006 to bring that war to a
clear conclusion we would not have fought this war in Gaza. And now there is
little doubt in the people of Israel’s mind that within a relatively short
period of time we will have to repeat this cycle again.
Unyielding resolve
The Gaza war has unequivocally reestablished the tactical supremacy of the IDF
and has shown the world the level of reunited purpose within the people of
Israel. But the same lack of political will to exploit our tactical advantage
that has been endemic to our government for the past few decades has left us in
a strategic minefield the likes of which we have not seen since before the
Six-Day War.
Like that period of time, we must be more proactive in our defense, but unlike
that time strong military action must be complimented by a renewed sense of
political will that reflects the renewed public will to strengthen Israel’s
security. Also, we must broaden and deepen our understanding of the
psychological aspects of conflict since more than any other war that has been
fought in the modern era this war on terrorism is being fought in the minds of
the world community.
Like Hannibal, our greatest mistake and one we make repeatedly is that we fail
to understand that our enemy is not interested in playing by any rules we set
for ourselves. Hannibal, in his estimation, thought his stunning victory at
Cannae was sufficient to break Rome’s will and to have it capitulate, since by
the rules of war of the day that is what a defeated power did. The Romans,
contrary to those rules, simply hunkered down and refused to do so. Reeducated
by their own mistakes and learning also from Hannibal’s, they did not hesitate
to press their own advantage and at the best opportunity totally destroyed
Carthage. It would be no less of a mistake to assume our enemies are not
learning from ours.
Yet Hannibal made his mistake only once. We have made it three times.
Today, we still have a chance to guarantee our long-term survival and
prosperity, but it requires a new unity of purpose. It requires a new approach
to the media and the reassessment of old alliances, while establishing common
interest with new alliances. It also requires us to treat enemy powers with
unyielding resolve and a refusal to allow them to set the rules of engagement in
any arena. We must set our house in order and rediscover our self belief and
identity as the only Jewish state on this planet.
But most of all, when we must go to war, we need to execute it with clear goals
and relentless finality. Our government must understand that military power is
nothing without the power that lies in the will of good leadership and a nation
united in purpose.
**Yehuda Lev is a member of Kibbutz Holit, located in the Eshkol region three
kilometers from Rafah
Israeli Air Force Drops Balloons Around Kfeir
Naharnet/Israeli air force flew over the Hasbaya region in south Lebanon dropping a
number of air balloons, one of which resembled a doll, al-Mustaqbal daily
reported on Monday.
Some of the balloons had the following English words: "Sweet for you" and "I
love you 2004."
The incident drew the attention of locals who began looking for the balloons in
the surrounding fields west of Kfeir village.
Lebanese army units and security forces cordoned off the area.
It was later determined that a "bouquet" of 10 air balloons were dropped.
Security forces sent for experts to inspect the balloons for any poisonous
material.
Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 13:03
Problems Among Allies Delay Formation of Electoral Lists
Naharnet/A parliamentary minority bloc member admits that the campaign launched by some
parties to urge President Michel Suleiman to attend the Doha summit was not
improvised.
He affirms that the campaign, in which many participated except for the Amal
movement, was well organized adding that some wanted to "pull their ministers
out of government in case Suleiman insisted on not going to Qatar."
The minority official who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Pan-Arab daily
al-Hayat on Monday, did not find a reason for the president's reservations over
the suspension of the Arab peace initiative, as long as Saudi Arabia was quick
to declare that the initiative "won't remain on the table forever."
He defended the campaign made by some members of the parliamentary minority
against the president, who is thought to Shepard the emergence of a centrist or
an independent parliamentary bloc that meets halfway with both March 8 and 14
Forces.
Although the official did not wish to answer the question of why the
parliamentary minority is against the president on this point, he was incapable
of hiding the concerns of head of "Change and Reform" parliamentary bloc leader
MP Michel Aoun, who fears that independent candidates would eat away from his
popularity especially at Mount Lebanon. Some of the "independents" were previous
allies of Aoun in the 2005 elections.
In 2005, Aoun received 72% of Christian votes.
The official was not surprised when MP Michel Murr responded to Aoun by saying:
"The General has no reason to wage media and political wars against the
independent (candidates) as long as he is certain of his capability of breaching
his political opponents at the coming elections, and in returning to parliament
at the head of a large parliamentary bloc."
"Why is Aoun preparing from now to politically eliminate the independent
candidates that are not loyal to him, while being part of his political machine
in the past," asked the official.
However, he admitted that the parliamentary minority is now facing problems
prior to arranging its election lists, adding that the majority is also facing
the same dilemma.
"This is so because the number of seats in parliament is not big enough to
include that many candidates coming from many districts ," the official said.
"The majority and the minority will both find themselves incapable of agreeing
to a united electoral map of their candidates and will end up asking Damascus to
interfere and remove obstacles that major political powers in Lebanon are
incapable of removing," the minority official said.
One particular problem that the minority according to the official would face is
that of the second Shiite district in Baabda, as Hizbullah is expected to easily
win the first seat. It would not be easy for the Amal movement to deliver the
second Shiite seat over to a candidate from Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement
(FPM), as it continues to insist on nominating its own member Talal Hatoum.
Another possible clash between Amal and the FPM could occur over Jezzine and
Ashrafieh as Aoun is calling for a Catholic and a Greek Orthodox candidate,
insisting on nominating Ziad Abss, while his allies are keen on Michel Sassine.
Al-Hayat stated it has information that the Democratic Gathering would maintain
nominating its leader MP Walid Jumblat and Marwan Hamadeh, Alaeddine Terro,
Mohammed al-Hajjar (from the Mustaqbal movement) with Nehmeh Tohmeh and Elie
Aoun for the Shouf district.
Jumblat will let his allies agree on the Maronite candidates by choosing between
the current MP George Adwan (Lebanese Forces), Ghattas Khoury (Mustaqbal
movement) and Dory Chamoun (head of the Nationalist Liberal Party). The
progressive Socialist Party headed by Jumblat does not seem to make any changes
to its list of candidates at Aley or the western Bekaa as it maintains
nominating its own Christian candidates Ayman Shuqair and Abdullah Farhat for
the Baabda district.
Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 12:11
Rockets Found in Iqlim Kharroub
Naharnet/Two rockets not set to explode were found in the town of Barja in Iqlim
el-Kharroub province.
News reports on Monday said a woman found the projectiles in the garden of the
house of Barja's mayor Mahmoud Khodr Hadadeh.
Security forces quickly moved in and cordoned off the area as experts safely
dismantled the rockets.
Police opened an investigation into the incident. Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 13:03
Hizbullah's Campaign on Generalizing Resistance Concept Draws Attention
Naharnet/A political campaign organized by Hizbullah in which it emphasizes on the
generalization of the concept of resistance as well as its "right to keep and
bear arms" has drawn attention, the daily An Nahar reported Monday.
It said head of Hizbullah's parliamentary bloc Mohammed Raad will not present a
written vision for the defense strategy in Monday's national dialogue session.
An Nahar said Raad on Monday would clarify Hizbullah's ideas orally based on the
outlines suggested by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah at a dialogue
session in Nejmeh Square back in 2006.
Meanwhile, the daily As Safir said Raad would carry with him copies of
Nasrallah's visions for the defense strategy that were presented during a
previous dialogue session.
It said that in case the issue of Palestinian weapons outside refugee camps was
brought up on Monday, Raad would remind the parties to the dialogue that
Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri had offered their help regarding this matter
and now that Lebanon has got a new president, the head of state would follow up
this issue."We are willing to help if he (the president) needs assistance," As Safir quoted
Raad as saying. Beirut, 26 Jan 09, 12:12
Moussawi: Gradual Absorption of Political Forces Within Resistance
Naharnet/Hizbullah's international relations official Nawaf Moussawi said the party would
work on gradually absorbing Lebanese political forces within the framework of
the resistance. He affirmed that Hizbullah today is more solid in arms and
strength.
Following his meeting Sunday with the Cuban Communist Party's Deputy Head of
Foreign Relations, Governor Oscar Martinez, Moussawi said: "Every attempt to
deprive a people from arming and resisting is a full partnership with the
aggression."
"Today more than ever, we are holding to our resistance arms and are
strengthening them. Moreover, we are gradually working on absorbing Lebanese
political forces within the framework of the resistance," Moussawi said.
"The failure of the Israeli aggression in eliminating the resistance and the
Palestinian cause is similar to the failure of the U.S. invasion of the region
through its Israeli ally and Arab tools," he said.
He went on to add that those who conspired against Gaza are known although they
remain silent. Beirut, 25 Jan 09, 19:01
11 Wounded in Clashes between March 8 and March 14 Supporters
Naharnet/Clashes between supporters of the March 14 coalition and March 8 Forces in the
eastern Bekaa Valley have left 11 people wounded, news reports said Monday.
The daily An Nahar said an argument broke out on Sunday in the Bahsasa
neighborhood of Qab Elias that quickly developed into a fight with knives and
sticks; Soon afterwards guns were pulled out and shots were fired.
It said 8 people were wounded before security forces stepped in and contained
the fight. Most of the casualties suffered knife and gunshot wounds.An Nahar said the Lebanese army also made arrests. It identified one of the
detainees as Ziad A.
Meanwhile, in the town of Rawda, also in the Bekaa, three people were wounded in
a fight between kids at an internet center which turned into a shooting. Beirut,
26 Jan 09, 08:48
Berri: Upcoming Elections Political Milestone
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Sunday that the upcoming legislative
elections won't be decisive for Lebanon, but would determine a political
milestone for the coming period.
He affirmed that the country is not a legacy for a certain religious sect or
political party, adding that his parliamentary bloc will participate in the
elections as a "national merit," and not an act of revenge against anyone.
During his meeting with the heads of municipalities from Jezzine and al-Rihan
Mountain, Berri said: "The upcoming legislative elections should not be seen as
decisive for Lebanon. Lebanon is the eternal home for all Lebanese. The country
is not anyone's sole political or religious legacy. The results of any election
constitute a political milestone, and should not threaten the country's
destiny."
He called on all parties getting ready for the legislative elections next June
to "work under the framework of national unity and coexistence."Berri stressed that people in south Lebanon must enjoy their rights when it
comes to being compensated for damages from the July 2006 war.
No one should blame the Council of the South, he said, adding "the Council's
rights were violated as well as those of the southerners."
He referred to unpaid Saudi funds worth 50,000 billion LL that remain at
government coffers, adding that the Higher Relief Council (HRC) holds on to
100,000 billion LL as homes in the south continue to await relief for the 2006
war.
Government sources responded to Berri's statement, saying: "We are sorry to say
that what Speaker Berri said is inaccurate and not true." Beirut, 25 Jan 09,
18:07
150 Fighters from Jibril's PFLP-GC Smuggled to Beddawi, Naameh
Naharnet/About 150 fighters from Ahmed Jibril's Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine-General Command have reportedly been smuggled to the northern refugee
camp of Beddawi and the coastal town of Naameh south of Beirut.
The daily Al Balad on Sunday said the PFLP-GC -- which has bases in barren
terrains in east Lebanon's towns of Qossaya, Hilweh, Sultan Yaqoub, and Deir
el-Ghazal -- had smuggled around 150 fighters to Beddawi camp and a tunnel in
Naameh.
The newspaper, citing a security report, said the fighters were smuggled via the
northern town of Talbira in the Akkar province.
It reported "unusual" PFLP-GC activity, including setting up rocket launchers,
anti-aircraft guns and planting anti-personnel mines and anti-vehicle mines
around its bases.
Beirut, 25 Jan 09, 09:46
Hamdan: We Shall Continue to Smuggle Arms into Gaza and West Bank
Naharnet/Hamas representative in Lebanon Osama Hamdan said on Sunday that the movement
would continue to smuggle arms into Gaza and the West Bank.
"We never failed to enter arms into Gaza during the high intensity of the war,"
Hamdan told a really at the UNESCO headquarters in Beirut.
"It is our right to own weapons, and we shall continue to enter arms into Gaza
and the West Bank. Let no one think that we shall surrender," Hamdan said.
He explained that smuggling arms into Gaza was never a "walk in the park.""Things might get tougher. However, we are ready to continue" our struggle, he
said.
Beirut, 25 Jan 09, 16:16
Egypt offers Hamas deal 'before Netanyahu era'
Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports Cairo trying to convince Palestinian group to relax
conditions for agreement with Israel before right-wing government rises to power
with more radical stances. Deal meant to include lifting of Gaza siege, opening
crossings, securing Gilad Shalit's release
Roee Nahmias Published: 01.26.09, 10:31 / Israel News
Egypt is monitoring the public opinion polls in Israel ahead of the February 10
general elections and is trying to convince Hamas to relax its demands for a
deal with the Jewish state before the end of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's
tenure, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat reported
Monday, quoting Israeli sources.
Preventing Smuggling
Barak: Egypt stopping arms from getting to Gaza / Roni Sofer
Defense minister briefs cabinet on Cairo's efforts to thwart weapons smuggling
into Strip, says Israeli offensive met every operational objective
According to the report, Egypt warned Hamas that the next Israeli government,
which according to the polls will be headed by Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu
– will take more radical stances. Therefore, they said, the Palestinian movement
must take advantage of the opportunity as long as the Olmert government is still
in power, for fear of "losing everything".
The sources quoted by the paper estimated that Cairo understand the next two
weeks will be crucial and will be seen as Hamas' "last opportunity for a good
deal".
They said Olmert was interested in completing his tenure with a major agreement
such as the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Foreign Minister Tzipi
Livni is interested in the deal "because her popularity is declining", and
Defense Minister Ehud Barak wishes "to strengthen his rise in the polls".
According to the report, on Sunday Egypt offered the Hamas delegation to the
Cairo talks a "package deal" with Israel which would include new understandings
on a truce in return to lifting the siege, opening the crossings and forming a
prisoner exchange deal.
Israel suggested several initiatives, including the release of 1,050 Palestinian
prisoners. However, only 280 of the names are included on Hamas' original list
of demands, and the Jerusalem has made it clear that there would be no more
flexibility.
The innovation, according to the paper, is in the number of prisoners. In
addition, Israel is willing to remove additional military checkpoints in the
West Bank.
Hamas offers 18-month truce
Hamas delegates met Sunday with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.
According to the London-based Arabic-language al-Hayat newspaper, the movement
controlling the Gaza Strip agreed to an 18-month truce in exchange for the
opening of all crossings "at full production".
The organization has expressed its objection in the past to a year-long truce,
with the option of renewing it in the future.
A member of the delegation said, however, that his organization had turned down
an Israeli offer which included an unlimited lull and the opening of all
crossings in return for Gilad Shalit.
"We stressed our refusal to link between the crossings' operation and Shalit's
release," the Hamas member said. "The Shalit issue is separate and is only
related to the prisoners' issue."
The same man noted that Hamas opposed the opening of the Rafah crossing
according to an agreement from 2005, saying that the movement agreed to the
stationing of international observers at the crossing, as long as they include
Turkish monitors and as long as they are stationed in el-Arish in Egypt or in
Gaza, in addition to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' presidential guard
members who reside in the Strip.
IDF: Only 250 of Gaza fatalities were civilians
Senior military sources say recent findings indicate at least 700 of those
killed in Gaza offensive were gunmen. Palestinians claim only 300 armed men
killed
Hanan Greenberg Published: 01.26.09, 12:38 / Israel News
A continuing IDF investigation into the number of civilian Palestinian
casualties during the Israeli offensive in Gaza indicated that only 250 of the
fatalities were civilians.
The military estimates that between 1,100 and 1,200 people were killed during
the offensive. Some 700 of are believed to be militants and most are believed to
be Hamas operatives.
Aftermath
Rights groups demand Gaza op probe / Aviad Glickman
Human rights organizations urge attorney general to investigate violations of
combat rules in Gaza
The IDF is still trying to ascertain the identity of the remaining fatalities,
but security sources said many would probably turn out to be militants as well.
"Hamas is familiar with the numbers and is doing everything it can to concealed
them," said an IDF source.
The data presented by the Palestinian is vastly different: Palestinian Groups
operating in the Strip have reported 92 of the fatalities as gunmen, 48 of whom
were affiliated with Hamas, 32 with Islamic Jihad, 10 with the Popular
Resistance Committees' Salah a-Din Brigades and two with the Mujahedeen
Brigades.
According to a Palestinian source, the majority of the Palestinian fatalities
were killed in air raids. The Palestinians reported 200 police officers were
killed in the first day of the Gaza shelling, alone.
Hamas claimed that "the Israelis are concealing their losses and lying about the
losses suffered by the Palestinians."
'Ratio of 1:3'
The military is doing everything it can to compile accurate data regarding the
identity of those killed in Gaza, including debriefing soldiers and
cross-referencing their information with intelligence.
Gaza Division Chief Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg alluded to the fact that
the majority of the Palestinian fatalities were Hamas operatives, but refused to
specify numbers.
The IDF has yet to verify the identity of some 200 fatalities, mostly men in
their 20s, whose identification is delayed because they are still buried under
the rubble. The defense establishment believed many of them would prove to be
Hamas men.
Many of the fatalities were considered to be civilians at first, because there
were no weapons found with them, said a military source, "But that method of
operation is consistent with the way Hamas was hiding in the midst of civilians,
moving between their strongholds with no weapons. In many cases someone thought
to be a civilian casualty turned out to be a Hamas operative after we ran our
checks."
The civilian-gunman casualty ratio, he added, was one to three, proving that the
IDF was targeting Hamas and not civilians. The IDF stressed that the forces took
significant precautions in order to avoid harming any civilians; but considering
the way that Hamas chose to involve civilians in the fighting, mounting a
surgical strike resulting in absolutely no civilian casualties was impossible.
Armistice likely to hold
As for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the defense establishment
believes it is likely to hold; especially given Hamas' failure to boast about
any substantial achievements, like kidnapping a soldier.
"The devastation in Gaza, which is a direct result of the nature of a
battlefield formed by Hamas, is enormous and it’s a deterrent factor for Hamas,
which finally realizes the might if the IDF," said a defense establishment
source.
"They don’t seem to be interested in violating the ceasefire, but if the do,
they will realize that (Israel) has no intention of reverting back to the days
of a surgical response."
The success of Operation Cast Lead, added the source, has led the military to
begin implementing some of the operational patterns used in the offensive to
other sectors.
**Ali Waked contributed to this report
Lauder: Sanctions won't stop Iran
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
Jerusalem Post
The President of the New York-based World Jewish Congress said Monday that
economic sanctions against Iran would not stop the Islamic Republic from seeking
to attain nuclear weapons.
"My concern is that they [the sanctions] will not stop Iran from their quest for
a bomb," Ronald S. Lauder told The Jerusalem Post during a gathering of the
organization in Jerusalem.
"Economic sanctions always help [but] the question is how strong they are and
what effect they have. They cannot affect a country in the short-term."
In defiance of the UN Security Council and years of increasing economic
sanctions, Iran continues to enrich uranium, which nuclear experts say is the
hardest part of building a bomb.
"We all know that the obfuscation and trickery of the mullahs in charge of that
once great country have one clear goal - a nuclear bomb," Lauder said.
The American cosmetics heir also said that he was confident that US President
Barack Obama would be supportive of Israel, noting that the first
African-American US president's popularity in the Arab world would likely
further peace talks in the Middle East.
"I am totally confident that Obama and his administration will work as hard as
they can to protect Israel and look for peace," Lauder said. "The fact that
Obama will be accepted by the Arab world... is also a key to world peace."
In an earlier address, Lauder blasted the world's "double standard" in
criticizing Israel's recent military operation in Gaza, noting that no other
country in the world would accept a situation in which thousands of missiles are
raining down on their civilians for years.
"How long would your governments wait if you were threatened not just by words
that promised your destruction but by real rockets," he said. "There is no
question to how fast the US would have reacted."
Lauder also blasted both the Red Cross and the New York based-Human Rights Watch
for their "skewed" treatment of Israel.
"These organization pretend to be unbiased and care for all human beings..but
from my observation they are nothing but pro-Palestinian fronts," he said.
His comments come as anti-Israel protesters around the world - as well as some
government officials - have been increasingly comparing Israel's actions against
Hamas in Gaza to those of Nazi Germany.
"When I look at the double standards that the world applies to Jews...I come to
the sad conclusion that with anti-Semitism the best we can hope for is that it
goes away for a time but like a persistent and deadly virus it re-energizes
itself after a generation or two and comes back in all of its hideous forms," he
said.
The WJC President said that the lesson of the 1930s was the need to immediately
react to any anti-Semitic incident anywhere in the world, but especially in
Europe, which has witnessed a spike of anti-Semitic incidents since the military
operation against Hamas in Gaza began.
"Today in Europe the situation is as bad as it ever has been," he said.
"In reality, to my mind anti-Israel and anti-Semitism are the same thing," he
concluded.
In an earlier address, Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu called for the
establishment of broad alliance against anti-Semitism and the "creed of hate"
with both Christians and moderate Muslims around the world.
"I have no doubt that ultimately militant Islam will lose the battle against
modernity and freedom," Netanyahu said. "The question is [at] what price until
that defeat is assured.