Israel: The Palestinian Civil War Stumbles On

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January1 5, 2007: The fighting between Hamas and Gaza has evolved into attempts to kill the leaders of each side, and holding large demonstrations near the other sides strongholds, in an attempt to get the other side to fire on civilians. That's part of the media war, with each side trying to appear more the "true champion of the Palestinian people." It's more about appearances, than real power. Fatah is receiving money, weapons and other aid from the U.S., Egypt and Israel. Hamas is getting aid from Iran and several Arab states.

January 14, 2007: In northern Gaza, Israeli troops saw two Palestinians killed when the explosives they were trying to plant (along the border barrier) exploded. In the West Bank, a series of raids led to the arrest of 19 terrorist suspects.

January 12, 2007: The first of 285 U.S. military vehicles for the Lebanese army were delivered. The twenty hummers would be used to make the Lebanese army strong enough to control southern Lebanon. That isn't working, as Hizbollah still controls the south, and shows no indication of backing down from the Lebanese army, or UN peacekeepers. Currently there are 11,000 peacekeepers and 16,000 Lebanese army troops in the south, watching as a few thousand armed Hizbollah men do whatever they want. Meanwhile, Hizbollah continues to try and overthrow the anti-Syrian government and, basically, take control of the government, or at least obtain veto power. This has been going on for months, mainly via massive demonstrations in the capital. Hasn't worked, and has resulted in a stalemate. Hizbollah controls southern Lebanon, with UN peacekeepers to protect them from the Israelis. The majority of Lebanese control the rest of the country, but are not strong enough (militarily or politically) to take on Hizbollah.

January 11, 2007: Palestinian terrorists continue to fire rockets into southern Israel, but elsewhere, there is not much happening except the occasional shot fired by a Palestinian. Like the rockets, the bullets rarely hit an Israeli.

January 10, 2007: In a major concession, Hamas accepted the existence of Israel, without, of course, recognizing Israels right to exist. What this nonsense means is that Hamas is getting hammered in the civil war with Fatah, and needs to say something that will make it easier for European aid groups (who are basically anti-Israel) to resume direct aid to Hamas. With that money, Hamas can increase its military power, and perhaps defeat Fatah. Then, a major attack on Israel can proceed. Israel wants Fatah to destroy Hamas, so a peace deal can be negotiated with the Palestinian. But there will always be groups like Hamas, willing to use terrorism in an attempt to destroy Israel.

 

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