““Israel’s”” killing of Palestinian casts shadow on peace moves…(1) 

“Israeli” troops have shot and killed a Palestinian in the Gaza Strip, as low level clashes raged across the occupied West Bank where “Israeli” police opened fire on hundreds of demonstrators injuring at least 12. The latest fighting has dimmed hopes that a peace deal could be reached before US President Bill Clinton leaves office. 

“ Another Palestinian was shot dead by “Israeli” troops early on Friday as pressure builds to end the violence in the Palestinian territories so that proposed new peace talks can have a hope of success. “Israeli” soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian near the Erez crossing point between “Israel” and the Gaza Strip after a night of sporadic gunfights. The “Israeli” army had launched tanks shells on Palestinian police posts in the West Bank. The “Israeli” military said a Jewish settler bus came under fire in the region. The latest death brought to more than 360 the number of Palestinians killed by “Israelis” in the troubled region since the uprising began in late September. The new violence cast a cloud over Washington's efforts to inject new momentum into its bid to broker a peace treaty before Clinton steps down on January 20. “Israeli” Prime Minister Ehud Barak's envoy, Gilead Sher, said after talks with US officials in Washington, he did not expect Clinton to break the deadlock in the 15 days left of his presidency. Sher said his government endorsed Clinton's proposals as a way to move forward in peacemaking. The only condition was that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat accept Clinton's outline as well. US officials briefed the “Israeli” envoy on some 15 Palestinian reservations about the peace plan, especially on Al-Quds and refugees. Sher, who doubted a deal can be brokered with the Palestinian soon, demanded the establishment of an efficient system of quote counter terrorism with the Palestinians under US auspices. Arafat is expected to send a representative later in the week to Washington for talks with US mediators. Clinton's drive for an “Israeli”-Palestinian accord gained new life with word from Arafat that he was willing to negotiate with “Israel” based on his interpretation of Clinton's formula for a settlement. Clinton is trying to bridge the remaining gaps before he leaves office in about two weeks. Arafat had expressed hope for a deal with “Israel” before Clinton ends his presidency. But Barak warned that if Arafat demanded the right of return for refugees to “Israel” as part of a permanent agreement, "it means he does not want peace". Barak was reported by “Israeli” press as thinking there is little chance of reviving peace talks because Arafat is not yielding on key issues. Earlier, Barak warned that “Israel” faced a "wide-ranging confrontation" with Arab countries if no agreement is reached with the Palestinians. Barak's Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami said in Berlin that if the two sides could not conclude a final agreement by the end of Clinton's term, something less specific, such a "declaration of general principles" should be considered. Clinton has proposed giving Palestinians control of Arab neighborhoods in occupied East Al-Quds in return for renouncing the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees to what has become “Israel”. The proposal also calls for Palestinian control over 95 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip. 

Bereaved Palestinian father rails at checkpoint…(2)

Hassan Al-Zreai embraced his dead baby and let out a bellow born of sorrow and despair when “Israeli” soldiers refused to allow him through their checkpoint. "Is there more fascism than what those soldiers are doing? Is there more humiliation than what we are living?" he shouted.  Zreai needed to get home, to a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip a few kilometres (miles) on the other side of the “Israeli” roadblock. He wanted to have the tiny body washed before burial, in accordance with Islamic custom. Zreai's baby daughter had died in Shifa hospital in Gaza City, a few days after her complicated birth.  Now he and his wife were in a queue with hundreds of people who waited in lorries and cars from early morning until they were finally allowed to cross at 3 p.m. "Where are Arabs and where are Muslims?" he asked, circling his car in frustration. "How could they leave us under the mercy of the “Israeli” occupation?" As part of its battle against the Palestinian uprising, “Israel” has tightened its "closure" on all Palestinian-run areas, sealing them off for long stretches.  Palestinians condemn the “Israeli” closure policy as collective punishment. “Israeli” troops are positioned on the main roads to towns and villages. Bulldozers have piled sand to block the subroads. An “Israeli” tank, an armored personnel carrier and two jeeps blocked the crossroads near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim where Zreai was stranded.   People said their Friday prayers at the roadside, waiting for a gesture from an “Israeli” soldier telling them to pass. Hospital officials said that on Thursday soldiers at the same checkpoint had held up a truck carrying milk and oxygen for a clinic for premature babies in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. 

Tens of Palestinian collaborators with “Israel” surrendered…(3)

A Palestinian security official announced that tens of Palestinians, who collaborated with the “Israeli” occupation forces, surrendered themselves to Palestinian security agencies after they have realized the "gravity of what they were doing".

The security official added that the collaborators confessed serving the “Israeli” intelligence, and giving important and detailed information about the missions they were ordered to do.

The collaborators said they helped the “Israeli” intelligence eliminate a number of intifadah leaders.

"Majdi Akkawi, one of the collaborators, confessed he gave to “Israeli” security generals detailed information, which had been used to assassinate his nephew, Jamal Abdel Razzaq, and three of his friends at the Morag check point on November 28," said the Palestinian official.

Information about the Islamic Jihad and Hamas Movements were also given to the “Israeli” enemy.

“Israel” seals off Gaza strip…(4)

“Israel” has completely closed the Gaza Strip, dividing it into three parts and preventing residents from crossing from one section to another, exacerbating an economic crisis gripping the territories. The move has angered Palestinians who said it was a violation of agreements on Palestinian sovereignty in an area that is supposed to be under full Palestinian control. Two weeks ago, “Israel” eased the closures of the West Bank and Gaza for the first time since late September. Before the intifada began, 150-thousand Palestinians normally crossed into “Israel” each day. The latest closure has also prevented Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza from attending Friday prayer services at the Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Al-Quds. 

Footnotes:

1-     Future TV, 5-1-2001.

2-     Same source.

3-     Manar TV, 5-1-2001.

4-     Future TV, 5-1-2001.