Hamas orders Gaza smuggling tunnels shut under Egyptian pressure

Israeli propaganda constantly tries to make the point: there were rockets before the blockade. But like most propaganda it is not true and it is dishonest to keep repeating it. The blockade started in Sept 2000 along with closure of Gaza airport. Immediate economic effect were losses in area of $5.3 billion. In Sept 2001 Israel established a buffer zone that sealed all entry and exit points. After 9 Oct 2001, movement of people and goods between Israel and Gaza was halted, and complete internal closure was effected 14 Nov 2001. The first Qassam rocket was fired into Israel on 10 February 2002. Israel is, and will, lose the PR battle over Gaza. The international community views the Gazans as victims. No on expects Israel to be able to effectively try to starve 1.5 million people into submission without retaliation. In addition, collective punishment of a civilian population is a war crime: article 33, 4th Geneva Convention. Jasper #38. Read 1st line of #22 again.

the need for the tunnels, by allowing certain products through the blockade, thus allowing the flow of products into the region to be regulated, where as if they arrive through the network of tunnels, it could be anything, including rockets of terror. Logical. Want Hamas to keep the tunnels closed? Reciprocate and show good will to show appreciation for Hamas' gesture, by taking away the biggest reasons for those tunnels to exist. Such gestures will send ripples through the region, and perhaps even Turkey will appreciate it, and show it. If not.. then all the more reason to show good will to the Christian Arabs, because they'll be more receptive.

will show the Arabs that cooperation will get them more good will than confrontation will get them... such as unrestricting certain items, like food, shoes, clothing, electrical appliances, or any other items that would improve quality of life and make them appreciate the gesture, if you allow those items into Gaza for Hamas' gesture of halting the rockets, then you can justify their actions... you can make such actions clearly reasonable and logical, thus preventing the more radical groups from disliking Hamas' progress and stopping of rockets. It's a logical course of action for Israel to take.

there is good reason to make sure that of all the things limited through the blockade of Gaza, that food must not be restricted. Hamas stopped shooting rockets? Reciprocate, match the gesture, and unrestrict some goods that would be much appreciated in Gaza to show good will. It can't just get worse when they are doing bad things, but it should also get better when they stop doing those bad things, to reinforce that it is better policy on their part to not do those bad things. It will calm many Gazans, and make them less likely to be so supportive of the groups that shoot rockets into Israel. Especially unrestrict movement of Christian Arabs in Israel greater, if any group will be sympathetic to the Israeli cause, it will be the Christians, so it would be wise to also be sympathetic to Christians. Major holidays for Christians? Let the Arab Christians be allowed to have freedom of movement in numbers that far exceed the previous years. Appreciate that group of Arabs, and show it.

by the significant progress Hamas has made in such a short amount of time. Stopping rockets? Never would've expected that before it happened.

If they are starving, why do all photos coming out of Gaza show the females above age 25 as (sorry ladies) obese?

"... Hamas` de facto support for a two-state solution and its agreement to stop the Qassams." Sorry Binyamin. I read most of what comes out of the area, and seemed to have missed both of these developments. Could you give me a link?

who knows. He may learn Arabic and convert to Islam! it is good for him

Hey Ron first of all there was no blockade of Gaza till Hamas took over. Second did you ever stop to think why Israel enforces a blockade. Think Ron, try something new instead of just quoting Palestinian propaganda. Lets see Ron over 8,000 rockets fired into civilian areas resulting in the deaths of children, a border crossing and kidnap of a soldier still held prisoner, hundred of civilians kiiled by suicide bombers in buses, restaurants and malls, the refusal to even recognize that Israel exists. No one in Gaza is starving. Show me pictures of starving people in the streets. They have food supplied by Israel, they have electricity supplied by Israel, they have fuel supplied by Israel. Dont mention the word genocide, you have no idea what genocide looks like. The people of Gaza are really suffering because they do not have electrical appliances,crockery and cups. My heart really goes out to them because they are being deprived of musical instruments, sausages and tea. Think Ron

You may ask what happened to Natalie Durson. Tou may have noticed that she sometimes has copletely opposite points of view on the same story and on different days. This is because the esteemed Natalie author of many thousands of posts through the years is actually a conglomerate of Arab students who all post under the same alias. Some are more vilent than others but if you look at all the various posts through the years it soon becomjes apparent that there are a everchanging number of opinions from different people using the name "Natalie Durson" By the way she (he) has never had any interesting opinions. It has just been a never ending anti semetic, anti Israel bash.

The sovereign jewish state of Israel will timely respond to attempts against Israel territorial sovereignty , Israel citizens lives and Isrtael interests ... With zero tolerance against provocations and attacks , brutal and/or soft , Israel automatic response will be felt by its enemies very painfully , harshly, severely . Your choice , leave us to mind our own state building business or feel and bear the miseries of your own doing against us. Bend to Zionism and prosper or suffer your OIC-Arab League miseries .

After all, they are under occupation and blockade.

I agree if you kill enough of the enemies children they tend to stop doing things that you dislike. You know things like acquiring Scud Missiles Although I see Cast Lead didn't close down the tunnels. Nor has it stopped the Qassems. A request from Egypt did.

Quote " IS THAT U , NATALIE...Hard to believe. U sound almost zionist recently ." If she not a 'mossad' agent , then her post # 9 sounds as exploiting freedom of expression and press to undermine Israel territorial sovereignty , and more ... (typical tactics of the radical left) and to portray Obama's administration as OIC-Arab League Jihad collaborator dressed under the deceit of political-diplomatic peace talk-trap .

There are dozens if not hundreds of tunnels operating individually. I seriously doubt that even Hamas is aware of the whereabouts of each one of them.

Hard to believe. U sound almost zionist recently.Did the Lubavitch convert u?

The truth is that Hamas is a moderating force today in Gaza. It is under attack from a fairly strong jihadist movement that opposes Hamas' de facto support for a two-state solution and its agreement to stop the Qassams. Hamas has undergone the same transformation as Fatah did 20 years ago. In that sense, the Israeli policy of the 'Iron Wall' has succeeded. Hamas as a moderate force is ten times more dangerous to Israel as it is a rejectiionist movement. I wonder if the Shabak is funding the Gaza jihadis to undermine the moderates, just as it once funded Hamas to undermine Arafat.

or more for killing or attempt to kill or assiting the killing of gazans especially women and children which should be death

if they were not shut down." Hamas fear is the political outcome of Israel counter jihad activity . Cast Lead maintenance deterrence works .

as u may have not noticed ill explain u in basic words u can understand. Israel and Hamasistan is at war. Israel and hamas re enemies it means they re not kind to each other and they like to kill eachothers people. this is a natural enemies relations a natural friend relation should be helping protecting etc. Egypt claims to be more than their friend they re brothers... but egypt lets no food not 1 truck to gaza egypt applies a much more strict blockade to hamas than israel go write ur complains to an egyptian newspapers comments. as we all know egypt has no obligation on blockading gaza!

blockace started in 2006-07 about 6 months later the hamas election and coup against PA.hamas immediately after attacked and caused the blockade. in 2000 there were still settlers and IDF in gaza yes there were some restrictions but like WB.. not a blockade. in 2005 even the rafah gate with egypt was opened after disengagement plan which resulted in coup by hamas and caused the blockade...

Gazans may not be starving, but Israel is doing its best to ensure they do.Israel permits an average of 80 truckloads a day of aid to enter gaza. An admission of genocide. According to UN World Food Program, Gaza, with a population of 1.5million, requires daily 400 trucks of just food to meet basic nutritional needs. Israel forbids entry of building materials,medicine, electrical appliances,spare parts for cars and machines, fabrics, threads, needles, candles,matches,mattresses, sheets, blankets, cutlery, crockery,cups,glasses,musical instruments, books, tea, coffee,sausages,and shoes. UN relief agencies report 80% of Gazans depend on meager trickle of International aid Israel permits to enter; 450,000 (30%) are without clean water; patients are in dire need of medical care. WHO reports not enough IVs. Blood must be kept in plastic bottles. The blockade began in 2000, before the rockets. This is the worst human rights violation taking place in the world today and can be a war crime.

I see there is a Nattalie on here now but what happened to the real Natalie. That person had some very interesting opinions.

No food or medicine brought in by tunnel only weapons.If the people starving dont you think pictures of children ith swoolen bellies would be flashed to the world. What are you Israel bashers going to do now

"zionist are trouble makers who hate peace." I think everyone would really appreciate your definition of a "Zionist", but please, without consulting the Manual.Then we might know what we're arguing about.

israel is hard hearted, cold and uncaring. They know what is going on there, but they shut their ears , their eyes, so that their hearts cannot feel the guilt, and can freely go on punishing the Palestinians in their imprisoned status even more day by day. Then they will tell the world that they are behaving humanely, while Hamas are terrorists.

The imprisonment and devastation of Gaza, the destruction of its economy, more than 1000`s dead, illegal use of weapons, illegal settlements, and now Israel?s infernal wall that scars the land; a prison wall that Israel is building around itself with its own people both as prisoners & prison guards. Israel is destroying itself politically & morally from within.

israel needs to stop its blockade in order to live in peace without those Mickey Mouse Firework called "Rockets?. What does israel expect from Starving the People of Gaza?

Prove that Egyptian peace is a sham, and that all smuggling is with Egyptian knowledge and participation. Hamas wouldn't want to upset their partners in smuggling.

no more chance for zionists to attack their enemy. zionist are trouble makers who hate peace.

itself with. All those who thought Obama is weak now know that was wrong. I said all along he was just letting the land thieves tie the knot. This is just more of the same----negating the age old Israeli claim that they do not have a partner in peace.

what you said. You implied clearly that the story was conconcted by the Israelis. Have the humility to accept you were wrong and don't make a bigger fool of yourself than you already have. If Hamas is closing the tunnels, for whatever reason...I'm happy.

Hamas is making tax revenue from all the produce brought in via the tunnels. They are in charge of them. But recent events have shown that Hamas has competition now in tunnelling and wants to make sure it does not get out of hand. Hamas wake up. This is called free enterprise.

The simple truth is that Hamas is in the fight for the survival. In Gasa, Hamas is gradually loosing its grip on power under the pressure of the other, more militant groups. These groups are supported and armed via the existing tunnels. By closing these tunnels, Hamas hopes to close the lifelines of its opposition.

Obama is not finished with the settlement issue. Before he rekindles the fire, Hamas will make a show of closing tunnels, stopping rockets, etc. This will add strength to Obamas pressure on Israel. Don't think that the Obama gang have not been in touch with Hamas. Hamas will certainly lend temporary cooperation to see what Obama can do.

And a great source of income for so many Egyptians with a potential to be one of the best foreign tourist attracktions. A terror threat or atack will ruin all of it.This article did not mention the past attackes on hotels and the planned atack by Hezbullah.

....turns out to be true. I just have to wonder why you obviously aren't happy about it...??? It's such a strange thing that many of Israels supporters always seem to be unhappy, when the other side is taking constructive steps towards peace (or let's rather say "more calm"). I just wonder what might be the reason for that rather bizarre attitude...???

Why doesn't Egypt tell Hamas to free the Israeli soldier?

The Gaza strip should be returned to Egypt as a de-militized area. These people are Egyptians anyway. Egypt will know how to handle Hamas.

Why should Hamas suddenly get so diplomatic? The tunnels provide Hamas with weapons & money and it brings products in to be sold on the black market, tunneling is an industry and there is no way they are going to just stop because Egypt told them especially considering that Egypt has been saying stop for years and Hamas refused. When Egypt started talking about building some kind of wall that goes deep underground Hamas called Mubarak a traitor. These are just worthless statements from Hamas which probably means don't do dig any without asking permission from us first don't dig independently.

on the story he believes is concocted by the Israelis.

I'm trying to understand. Israel can't stop the smuggling of weapons into Gaza from Egypt. Egypt says they are doing all they can do and even agreed to build a wall, but the smuggling doesn't stop. Then one day Egypt says to Hamas "Please stop all smuggling and close your tunnels". Then, guess what, Hamas closes the tunnels and stops the smuggling. Makes one wonder doesn't it?

That photo of a 'Palestinian woman' could have been a man, since she's wearing a full face covering. Hell, it could even have been the Loubavitcher Rebbi for all we know!! Be that as it may, I think we are all sick of the whole damned thing!