Tag Archives: Israel

New Israeli-Palestinian violence breaks out in Gaza. An Israeli airstrikes followed a Palestinian rocket attack. Attempts at a cease fire have been made but they have not succeed so far.

An Israeli airstrike hit an Islamic Jihad training camp in Gaza, killing a commander and three fighters. Israel is concerned that antiaircraft weapons looted from Libya are making their way to Gaza. Palestinian president Abbas said the Arab world’s rejection of the UN’s 1947 plan to partition Palestine was a mistake.

On the heals of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, Israel has agreed to release 25 Egyptian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier. Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas is expected to demand prisoner releases to resume peace talks. A Saudi Cleric has offered a reward for kidnapping Israeli soldiers.

Hamas freed an Israeli soldier as Israel released hundreds of Palestinians prisoners in an exchange deal. Opinion vary widely on the implications of this deal. While 69% of Israelis support the swap, others see it as perpetuating the cycle of violence. Others see Hamas gaining popularity at the expense of Fatah.

Israel and Hamas reached a deal to free a captured Israeli soldier, held since 2006, in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The deal did not include a number of top prisoners or several high-ranking Fatah prisoners.