Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 01, 2009 Tevet 5, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:41 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 14:55 30/12/2008
UN official says Israel responsible for breaking truce with Gaza
By The Associated Press
Tags: Gaza, Israel News, Israel 

Palestinians in Gaza believed Israel had called a 48-hour lull in retaliatory attacks with Hamas when Israel Air Force warplanes launched a massive bombardment of militant installations in the Gaza Strip, a UN official said Monday.

Karen Abu Zayd, commissioner of the UN Relief and Works Agency which helps Palestinian refugees, raised the possible violation of an informal truce in a video press conference with UN reporters from her base in Gaza.

Israel's UN Mission referred any comment on the reported lull to Prime
M
Advertisement
inister Ehud Olmert's office in Jerusalem. Olmert's office did not answer telephone calls for comment early Tuesday morning.

Abu Zayd said Palestinians in Gaza were surprised when Israeli warplanes sent more than 100 tons of bombs crashing down on key security installations in Hamas-ruled Gaza starting Saturday morning because it was in the middle of the lull.

The offensive began eight days after a six-month truce between Israel and the militants expired. During that time, the Israel Defense Forces said Palestinian militants fired some 300 rockets and mortars at Israeli targets, and 10 times that number over the past year.

Israel had sent mixed signals on Friday regarding its plans for Gaza. Israeli defense officials said politicians had approved a large-scale incursion into the territory. But at the same time, Israel appeared open to international pressure against an invasion, prying open its border with Gaza to allow deliveries of humanitarian aid.

"What we understood here (was) that there was a 48-hour lull to be called, and this was called by the Israelis," Abu Zayd said. "They said they would wait 48 hours. That was on Friday morning, I believe, until Sunday morning, and that they were going to evaluate."

"There was only one rocket that went out on Friday, so it was obvious that Hamas was trying, again, to observe that truce to get this back under control," she said.

"Then, everything got loose on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. We were all at work and very much surprised by this," Abu Zayd said.

When the Israeli offensive began, neither Defense Minister Ehud Barak nor
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made any mention of a lull.

Abu Zayd mentioned the lull when she was asked whether the population of Gaza was aware that this was all commenced by the Hamas government unilaterally ending the cease-fire and firing rockets.

"I don't think they think the truce was violated first by Hamas," she said.

"I think they saw that Hamas had observed the truce quite strictly for almost six months, certainly for four of the six months, and that they got nothing in turn - because there was to be kind of a deal," Abu Zayd said.

"If there were no rockets, the crossings would be opened," she said. "The
crossings were not opened at all."

Related articles:
  • Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel Navy fired on protest boat off Gaza shore
  • David Grossman / Is Israel too imprisoned in the familiar ceremony of war?
  • France, Britain look to impose cease-fire in bid to halt Gaza operation
  • Uncertainty and bombing keep Gazans awake and fearful of who will be next
  • Amos Oz: Hamas responsible for outbreak of Gaza violence
  • Gaza hospitals 'overwhelmed' by wounded from IDF strikes
  • No rest for the shell-shocked in Ashkelon shelters
  • Chicago synagogue firebombed; police probe possible link to Gaza violence
  • ANALYSIS / Israel's operation in Gaza is entering its problematic phase
  • IN PICTURES / Firestorm over Gaza
  • WATCH: Israel's attack on Gaza from the missiles' viewpoint





    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Israelis targeted abroad
    Gunman opens fire on Israelis working at shopping mall in Denmark.
    Iran silences dissent
    Newspaper forcibly shut down after article blaming Hamas for Gaza violence.
      1.   UN official crap 06:23  |  Brod 30/12/08
      2.   60 Rockets on Christmas you IDIOT! 06:54  |  indrajaya 30/12/08
      3.   The lull? 15 minutes while Hammas is reloading? 07:44  |  Binyamin Dissen 30/12/08
      4.   read thoroughly 07:54  |  scallywag 30/12/08
      5.   The UN rep is 100% right. 08:01  |  Alan 30/12/08
      6.   How nice of the UN to lie to the Palestinians too 08:02  |  UsedToPostHere 30/12/08
      7.   UN official says Israel attacked Gaza Strip during lull 08:12  |  Orao Stranka. 30/12/08
      8.   From Islamic person 08:14  |  Mohsein 30/12/08
      9.   UN official says Israel responsible for breaking truce with Gaza 08:24  |  Richard Szental 30/12/08
      10.   Previous 24hr lull had rockets fired all day 08:34  |  Peter Williams 30/12/08
      11.   Only One Rocket From Hamas During Truce 08:57  |  Brad 30/12/08
      12.   IgnoreUN 09:16  |  EU oil worship 30/12/08
      13.   Since when is continuation of rockets obeying a cease fire?! 09:28  |  Mcqueen 30/12/08
      14.   Oh no, they were surprised! 09:28  |  Mcqueen 30/12/08
      15.   "there was only one rocket fired "... it`s obvious 09:34  |  Benjamin 30/12/08
      16.   Yes Hamas fired 80 rockets but we are the ones how broken 09:44  |  Daniel 30/12/08
      17.   The UN 40 years ago 09:54  |  Beth 30/12/08
      18.   The thread of History 09:58  |  Eleonora 30/12/08
      19.   war is the ocupation of enequal societies 10:24  |  ana 30/12/08
      20.   Hamas 10:53  |  Tina 30/12/08
      21.   But there WERE rockets! 11:11  |  Tel Avivit 30/12/08
      22.   What an idiot at the UN 11:21  |  Scott G 30/12/08
      23.   Eleonora #18 11:58  |  Steve 30/12/08
      24.   Consider the source 12:45  |  Morris Valentine 30/12/08
      25.   Was it ever in doubt? 12:46  |  Michael 30/12/08
      26.   Thank you, UN for setting the record straight.. 12:52  |  Dutch 30/12/08
      27.   Read her words carefully! 12:58  |  Aaron 30/12/08
      28.   It was a treacherous attack in the middle of the day 13:05  |  Ben Alofs 30/12/08
      29.   The palestinian rockets were a response to 13:50  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 30/12/08
      30.   UN LIARS 14:00  |  Millicent 30/12/08
      31.   UN Official 14:05  |  ari 30/12/08
      32.   Erastus it is enough if US stops funding 14:23  |  Truth 30/12/08
      33.   Dumbfounded 14:26  |  MK 30/12/08
      34.   Information & Propaganda 15:22  |  Sam Soul 30/12/08
      35.   Her name is Karen Abu Zayd and she is American 19:40  |  Ben Alofs 30/12/08
      36.   Indrajaya #2 20:07  |  Jasper 30/12/08
      37.   Eleonora the Peaceful 20:16  |  Jasper 30/12/08
      38.   #8 is obviously fake 21:15  |  Tarik 30/12/08
      39.   The UN rep is 100% right. - Wrong 21:57  |  Aryeah245 30/12/08
      40.   The thread of History - Response 22:09  |  Aryeah245 30/12/08
      41.   war is the ocupation of enequal societies - Response 22:17  |  Aryeah245 30/12/08
      42.   UN = Arab League 22:20  |  kad 30/12/08
      43.   t was a treacherous attack in the middle of the day - Response 22:28  |  Aryeah245 30/12/08
      44.   The palestinian rockets were a response to - response 22:33  |  Aryeah245 30/12/08
      45.   #5 -Alan from Sydney 22:34  |  Bobby 30/12/08
      46.   Ong`s Hat - #29 22:40  |  Bill B. 30/12/08
      47.   Abu Sayd, would you like some cheese with that whine? 23:02  |  bernard ross 30/12/08
      48.   #23 and 37 23:14  |  Eleonora 30/12/08
      49.   Can we see through the BS? 23:25  |  Todd 30/12/08
      50.   #28, Ben Alofs...2ND TRY 00:29  |  Silvienne 31/12/08
      51.   November 5th Israel Breaks Truce 01:03  |  Marc Lebanon 31/12/08
      52.   When common sense is nowhere in sight, just wait for the figtht! 03:46  |  JV 31/12/08
      53.   Step on! 05:46  |  Ashraf 31/12/08
      54.   The UN should be disbanded 10:59  |  Lince 31/12/08
      55.   "Palestinians in Gaza were surprised" 11:24  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 31/12/08
      56.   re: ana 17:46  |  UsedToPostHere 31/12/08
      57.   UN Stupidity 18:48  |  DL13 31/12/08
      58.   The first casualty of war is truth. 23:23  |  Tony Price 31/12/08
      59.   Truth is bitter but has sweet results 20:12  |  ben john 01/01/09
     Read & React
    IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive
    Responses: 78
    Ari Shavit: Israelis who blame Israel are not helping Palestinians
    Responses: 80
    Roi Ben-Yehuda: Pro-Israel camp would be wise to heed Muslim cries for peace
    Responses: 36
    Israel Harel: Like it did in Lebanon, Israel blinked first in Gaza
    Responses: 36
    Poll: Majority of Israelis support continuing military operations in Gaza
    Responses: 33
    Haniyeh: Palestinian victory in Gaza is near
    Responses: 69


    More Headlines
    20:26 Livni: Gaza truce would give Hamas legitimacy
    18:43 IAF strike in Gaza kills senior Hamas political-military liaison
    19:02 Barrage of Gaza rockets strikes Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva, Ashdod
    13:27 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    18:34 Tel Aviv, Rishon Letzion prepare bomb shelters in case of attack
    15:03 Poll: Most Israelis support continuing Gaza military op
    15:02 Israelis who blame Israel are not helping the Palestinians
    15:01 Like in Lebanon, in Gaza Israel blinked first
    11:04 IN PICTURES / Israel battles Hamas in Gaza: Day six
    14:48 IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive
    13:57 AMIRA HASS / Thousands of Gazans near Rafah displaced by IAF bombing of tunnels
    18:00 12 Palestinians hurt in Gaza fighting being treated in Israeli hopsitals
    11:32 Top aide to Barak: IDF aiming to stop Gaza rocket fire, not crush Hamas
    17:59 Czech FM: Finding Gaza truce is a 'main role' of the EU
    06:48 ANALYSIS / What are Israel's options in the Gaza Strip?
    17:23 Bernard Henri Levy among 6 Jews said targeted by Islamist group
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Academic Studies in Israel
    All the Q & A at the IDC HERZLIYA Open House, January 9,2009
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved