Israeli Launches Airstrikes At Gaza After Militants Fire Rockets After West Bank Raid Killed 11

 

 Reuters: Gaza border heats up after West Bank violence 

Tensions flared there - as well as fears of a broader escalation - a day after an Israeli raid on Nablus in the occupied West Bank killed 11 Palestinians and wounded more than 100.

Palestinians went on strike across the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza on Thursday. 

Schools, universities, shops and banks closed their doors. 

Nafez Sider lives in Hebron. "It is a day of mourning and a strike. How could we work or eat or drink while our brothers in Nablus are being killed? We had to stand in solidarity with them, with the people of Nablus, and there had to be a general strike in the whole West Bank and Gaza and thank God there is." 

Israel's military said six rockets were fired from Gaza, setting off air raid sirens in southern Israel. 

Five were intercepted and no injuries were reported.  

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WNU Editor: Today's attacks are stemming form yesterday's Israeli military operation in the West Bank that killed 11 Palestinians and wounded more than 100 .... 11 Palestinians killed during Israeli raid targeting militants in West Bank (CNN). More here .... Israeli troops conduct deadly raid in flashpoint West Bank city (France 24).  

Update: This is not going to help the deteriorating security situation .... Scoop: Palestinians threaten to pull out of security summit after deadly IDF raid (Axios). 

 Israeli Launches Airstrikes At Gaza After Militants Fire Rockets After West Bank Raid Killed 11

Gaza rockets, Israeli strikes follow deadly West Bank raid -- AP  

Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza after rocket attacks as violence escalates -- CNN 

Gaza militants fire rockets, Israel mounts airstrikes after deadly West Bank raid -- L.A. Times  

Israel and Gaza militants exchange fire a day after Israeli raids in occupied West Bank -- ABC News Australia  

Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza after militants fire rockets in wake of West Bank raid -- The Guardian

Israel bombs Hamas sites in Gaza, hours after rockets shot toward Ashkelon, Sderot -- Times of Israel  

Gaza-Israel exchange of fire follows deadly West Bank raid -- BBC  

Israel bombs Gaza after rocket fire, deadly Nablus raid -- Al Jazeera

Are Israeli Snipers Using Explosive Bullets Against Palestinian Protestors On The Gaza Border?

Abdullah al-Anqar was shot at with an explosive bullet by Israeli soldier last month, resulting in the amputation of his left leg [Hosam Salem/Al Jazeera]

Al Jazeera: Palestinian teen shot by Israeli soldier: 'My leg is gone'

More than half of 15,000 total injuries in Gaza demos since March 30 are from explosive bullets, leading to amputation.

More than one month later, sadness and anger still grip Rania al-Anqar's heart every time she thinks about her son Abdullah, whose leg was amputated after he was shot by an Israeli soldier.

The 13-year-old had made his way to an area east of Gaza City, near the Israeli fence and close to his home in the al-Shujayea neighbourhood, on a quiet Thursday morning in early May.

"I took my slingshot with me," Abdullah, a skinny boy of 13, told Al Jazeera. "A few people were in the area, and everything was calm."

"I went near the fence and starting throwing rocks," he said, sitting in his wheelchair. "Then as I started to climb the fence, I saw an Israeli soldier hiding in the bushes."

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WNU Editor: Al Jazeera and the Turkish outlet Anadolu Agency are the only ones reporting the use of "explosive bullets" by Israeli snipers .... it seems that no one else considers it to be an important story. As to what is my take. To me all bullets are dangerous, and you do not need an explosive bullet to lose your leg.

Israeli Soldier Sentenced To 18 Months For Killing A Disarmed And Injured Palestinian Attacker

Washington Post: Israeli soldier sentenced to 18 months for shooting disarmed Palestinian attacker

TEL AVIV — A military tribunal sentenced an Israeli soldier to 18 months in prison on Tuesday in the killing of a disarmed Palestinian attacker, noting that the army medic showed no remorse for pulling the trigger after the attacker lunged at troops with a knife.

It was a deeply divisive punishment for an army sergeant whom many Israelis hailed as a hero for “neutralizing a terrorist.”

The months-long trial of Sgt. Elor Azaria was a rare prosecution of an Israeli soldier serving in the almost 50-year military occupation of the West Bank. Azaria was found guilty by the court in January.

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WNU Editor: The Palestinians are not happy .... Palestinians: Israeli soldier's sentence for killing is 'green light' for crimes (Middle East Eye). More here .... Elor Azaria verdict: 'No justice for Palestinians' (Al Jazeera).

More News On An Israeli Soldier Sentenced To 18 Months For Killing A Disarmed And Injured Palestinian Attacker

Soldier Elor Azaria given 18 months prison for killing wounded assailant -- The Times of Israel
IDF soldier Azaria sentenced to 18 months in controversial manslaughter trial -- i24news
Israeli soldier jailed for killing injured Palestinian attacker -- The Guardian
Israeli soldier gets 18 months for killing Palestinian assailant, less than prosecutors sought -- ABC News
Israeli soldier gets 18 months for killing Palestinian -- AFP
Israeli soldier gets 18 months for killing wounded Palestinian attacker -- USA Today
Israeli court sentences soldier Elor Azaria to 18 months for killing Palestinian -- DW
Israeli Soldier Sentenced to 18 Months for Killing Palestinian -- VOA

Graphic Video Show An Israeli Soldier Shooting A Wounded Palestinian Attacker In The Head

L.A. Times: Graphic video appears to show Israeli soldier shooting Palestinian man in the head

A graphic video that appears to show an Israeli soldier shooting a wounded Palestinian man in the head, moments after the man had stabbed a different soldier, has put an already tense West Bank neighborhood on edge.

A human rights volunteer took the video Thursday morning as he witnessed a stabbing attack near the Tel Rumeida neighbourhood in the southern occupied West Bank. He sent the video to the group B’Tselem, which published it online.

The video begins moments after an Israeli soldier had been stabbed by two Palestinian men, just before Israeli settlers were due to hold a parade celebrating the festival of Purim.

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Update #1: Watch: Israeli soldier caught on video fatally shooting wounded Palestinian attacker (Washington Post)
Update #2: Two Palestinians who stabbed Israeli soldier shot dead in West Bank -army (Reuters)
Update #3: Israel soldier held after video shows Palestinian shot in head (AFP)

WNU Editor: A video that sadly illustrates the incredible hatreds that now exists in the Middle East.

Update #4: I suspect that this happens more than what is known .... How Many Executions by Israeli Soldiers Have Not Been Captured on Film? (Haaretz)

Riots Return To Jerusalem

Palestinians Riot In Jerusalem Pelting Passing Cars With Rocks, Petrol Bombs And Flares After Youth From Their Neighbourhood Died Following Clash With Israeli Police -- Daily Mail

* Violence flared after death of Mohammed Sinokrot, 16, last week. The circumstances of his death are disputed
* Protestors threw rocks and petrol bombs at cars and Israeli riot police
* Police officers responded by firing rubber bullets in most serious uprising in Jerusalem in a decade

Scores of Palestinians rioted in East Jerusalem today after hearing that a youth from their neighbourhood had died of wounds suffered in a clash with Israeli police last week.

Protesters in the neighbourhood of Wadi al-Joz close to the walled Old City threw rocks, petrol bombs and flares at passing cars, and riot officers responded with rubber bullets during an afternoon of clashes that lasted for several hours. There were no reports of serious injury.

Mohammed Sinokrot, 16, succumbed to a head wound suffered during a protest a week ago but the circumstances of how he sustained the wound were in dispute.

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More News On The Latest Riots In Jerusalem

Rioting in east Jerusalem continues for second day after Palestinian teen's death -- Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Protesters, Israeli Police Clash Over Teen's Death -- VOA/Reuters
Arab Rioters Attempt to Blow Up Jerusalem Gas Station -- Arutz Sheva
Palestinians demonstrate in Jerusalem after death of teen protester -- Deutsche Welle
Riots Erupt in East Jerusalem After Death of Palestinian Teen -- Vice News

Hamas Vows Revenge After Israeli Air Strikes Kill Seven Hamas Fighters

Hamas Vows to Avenge Militants’ Deaths in Israeli Strikes -- NYT

JERUSALEM — Hamas’s military wing said that seven of its fighters from Rafah in southern Gaza had been killed in Israeli airstrikes late Sunday and early Monday, its heaviest losses in months, and vowed to avenge their deaths, warning on its website that “the Zionist enemy will pay the price.”

More than a dozen rockets were fired overnight from Gaza into southern Israel. On Monday morning one reached deep into Israeli territory, crashing into open ground near Beersheba, about 25 miles from the border with Gaza.

The cycle of violence has continued in the wake of the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank last month and the grisly revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem last week.

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More News On The Ongoing Violence Between Israel And The Palestinians

LIVE UPDATES: Seven Hamas men die in Gaza; Grad rocket strikes Be'er Sheva -- Haaretz
Nine Palestinian militants killed in overnight airstrikes by Israeli forces -- The Independent
Hamas says Israeli air strikes in Gaza kill seven of its men -- Reuters
Suspects confess to killing Palestinian teen -- AP
Israeli airstrikes kill Hamas militants -- USA Today
Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza -- Euronews
Grad hits Beersheba as rocket fire from Gaza continues to pummel South -- Jerusalem Post
Israel's Netanyahu expresses shock over 'abhorrent' murder of Palestinian teen -- CNN
Israeli PM Speaks to Slain Palestinian Teen's Father -- VOA
Israel arrests six Jewish suspects in murder of Palestinian teenager -- AP
Three suspects confess to murdering Palestinian teen -- Haaretz

Israeli Defense Bosses To Soldiers 'No Gangnam Style Dancing' With Palestinians

Defense Bosses Rap Elite Israeli Troops For Dancing With Palestinians When They Stumbled Across A Wedding Party -- Daily Mail

* Soldiers walked into a wedding party in Hebron during a patrol
* They joined in the dancing, one soldier was lifted onto someone's shoulders
* Israel Defense Forces says it is investigating the soldiers involved
* IDF claims the soldiers put themselves in unnecessary danger
* Former soldier says soldiers' actions helped humanise the conflict

Defence bosses have rapped a group of elite Israeli troops for joining in a wedding party in Hebron while on patrol in the city of Hebron.

The troops from the Givati Brigade stumbled across the celebration in the Palestinian city in the southern West Bank and were recorded on a mobile phone joining in with a dance, Gangnam style.

At one point a soldier, in full uniform and carrying his weapon, is lifted up onto the shoulders of a reveler as the crowd enthusiastically dances to the music. The footage was aired Wednesday on Israeli Channel 2 TV, according to The Jerusalem Post.

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More News On Israeli Soldiers Being Punished For Dancing With Palestinians

Israel soldiers rebuked over 'Gangnam Style' dance at Palestinian party -- NBC
Soldiers under fire for partying with Palestinians -- Times of Israel
WATCH: IDF soldiers 'abandon patrol to party with Palestinians in Hebron club' -- Jerusalem Post
Israeli soldiers disciplined for dancing to 'Gangnam Style' with Palestinians while on patrol in Hebron -- Independent
Israeli soldiers disciplined for Palestinian wedding dance -- UPI
Israeli army fuming after soldiers are caught dancing ‘Gangnam Style’ with Palestinians while on patrol (VIDEO) -- New York Daily News
'Gangnam Style' comes to Hebron -- Al Jazeera
Israeli Troops Suspended After Dancing 'Gangnam Style' With Palestinians -- Huffington Post
Israeli Soldiers Dance With West Bank Palestinians, But Military Authorities Spoil The Party -- Opposing Views
Israeli 'Gangnam Style'? Why Israelis dancing at Palestinian party got in trouble.-- Christian Science Monitor

Teaching Children To Hate

 

Palestinian Girl Tries To Goad Soldiers Into Lashing Out -- YNet News 

Video documents 10-year-old cursing, spitting at soldiers in attempt to provoke violent reaction – that never comes. Sending children to provoke soldiers: A video shot at a protest rally held in the village of Nabi Salih, in the central West Bank on Friday, captured an uncanny moment, showing how Palestinian protesters use children to needle IDF soldiers in hope of provoking a violent response. Familiar with the tactic, the soldiers did not fall for the obvious trap. The Palestinians residing in Nabi Salih claim that settlers have illegally taken over nearby lands.

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My Comment: Breeding the next generation to hate .... peace between Israelis and Palestinians is not going to happen in my lifetime.

A New Palestinian Uprising On The West Bank?

Israel Facing Major West Bank Uprising Over Palestinian Hunger Strike -- The Telegraph

Israel has been warned that it faces a major uprising in the West Bank after six Palestinian prisoners taking part in one of the largest and most protracted hunger strikes ever staged in its jails were said to be close to death.

Palestinian militant groups and moderate politicians alike have predicted that years of relative tranquility could be brought to an abrupt and violent end if any of the 1,600 inmates now refusing food were to starve to death.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said this week that the six inmates who have declined sustenance the longest are "at imminent risk of dying".

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My Comment: The world's focus has shifted away from the Palestinian cause when the Arab Spring started last year. A hunger strike is one way to galvanize opinion, but it will still be hard for the Palestinians to garner the world attention that they feel that they deserve when scores of civilians are being massacred on a daily basis only a hundred kilometers away in Syria.

2,800 Palestian prisoners Are Now On A Hunger Strike

Hundreds of prisoners are on hunger strike to oppose administrative detention and demand better conditions [Reuters]

Prisoners' Hunger Strike Escalates -- Sydney Morning Herald

RAMALLAH: The number of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails has grown to at least 2800, human rights groups say, while two of the inmates hovered close to death as they entered their 69th day without food. The Israeli prison service disputes the numbers.

Israel's practice of jailing people without charge - known as administrative detention - is the main issue driving the hunger strikers, whose images are seen on posters throughout the West Bank and Gaza as the protests backing the prisoners grow.

Read more ....

More News On The Growing Palestinian Prisoner Hunger Strike

Palestinian hunger strikers in prison clinic -- Al Jazeera
Hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners hospitalized -- AP
Israel's Supreme Court hears hunger strikers' appeal -- BBC
Palestinian hunger strikers appeal to Israeli court -- Reuters
Palestinians protest Israeli detention policy -- CNN
Hunger intifada? Palestinian prisoners wield new-old tool against Israel. --
The Palestinians are not battling with Israel, but with their apathy -- Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, Haaretz

Missile Attacks On Jerusalem Are Predicted By The IDF In Any Future War

Jerusalem

IIDF Predicts Missile Attacks On J'lem In Future War -- Jerusalem Post

Capital was previously believed to be safe due to its holy sites, large Arab population.

The army recently updated threat scenarios for every major city in Israel – and for the first time predicted that missiles might hit Jerusalem, even in a relatively minor conflict.

The threat scenarios – as they are called in the IDF – are compiled by the Home Front Command and are based on intelligence collected regarding the enemy’s intentions, as well as its capabilities. The municipalities and local councils are then provided an estimated number of missiles they can expect to face in a conflict and are advised on how they should prepare.

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My Comment: If the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem can be used by militants and fired upon by Israeli soldiers .... that is my heads up on that religious sites will not deter either side from attacking and/or using as a refuge.

Tensions Rise At The UN Ahead Of Vote For Recognition Of A Palestinian State

New York Meetings Open To Avert Palestinian Crisis -- Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A last-ditch international push began in New York on Sunday to try to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and avert a crisis over Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.

Officials met two days after President Mahmoud Abbas said he would demand full membership of the world body for a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly this week, setting up a diplomatic clash with Israel and the United States.

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More News On The UN/Palestinian Crisis

Diplomatic skirmish over Palestinian U.N. bid -- CBS/AP
Quartet meets in New York to avert Palestinian UN crisis -- Jerusalem Post
Diplomats scramble ahead of Palestinian UN bid -- CBS/AP
>West scrambles to save face over Palestinian statehood bid at UN -- Toronto Star/AP
-- Ynet News
Palestinians take statehood bid to the UN -- BBC
Palestinians try to change the rules at UN -- CBhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifS News
-- Voice of America
BBC poll shows narrow support for Palestinian state -- BBC
In West Bank, modest expectations from Palestinian statehood bid -- Washington Post
New York security on alert for UN assembly -- Financial Times
U.S. already planning for post-U.N. fallout -- CNN

Israel Preparing For More Clashes Along Its Borders

IDF Source: Israel Bracing For Clashes Along Its Borders Ahead Of Planned Protests -- Haaretz

Facebook-organized activists have called for demonstrations in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan to mark the upcoming anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War.

The Israeli military is preparing for the possibility of violent protests along its borders in the coming days, aiming to avoid a repeat of deadly unrest that erupted earlier this month, a senior military official told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Facebook-organized activists have called for demonstrations next weekend in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, in which Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip east Jerusalem and Golan Heights.

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My Comment: I expect Israeli security forces will be ready for these protests unlike what happened when protests two weeks ago caught these same security forces off-guard.

Israeli - Palestinain Violence Breaks Out On The West Bank

Palestinian Police Kill Israeli Visiting West Bank Holy Site -- New York Times

JERUSALEM — The Palestinian police shot and killed one Israeli and wounded four others early Sunday after the Israelis surreptitiously visited a Jewish holy site inside a Palestinian-controlled area, officials on both sides said.

The shooting occurred outside Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus after three carloads of religious Israeli Jews visited the site to pray, without coordinating their plans through the Israeli Army. Twice-monthly trips to the tomb have been organized with army escorts for the past four years without incident.

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More News On Yesterday's Violence In The West Bank

One killed, 4 wounded from PA police gunfire in Nablus -- Jerusalem Post
One Israeli killed, three hurt in West Bank shooting -- L.A. Times
Israeli Killed in West Bank as Palestinian Forces Fire -- Wall Street Journal
Clashes in West Bank after Israeli shot dead near holy site -- Haaretz
Netanyahu: PA must take severe steps against killers of Ben-Joseph Livnat -- Haaretz

My Comment: This incident is a heads-up to what may happen if an independent Plestinian state is formed.

Massive Leak Of Confidential Israeli - Palestinian Diplomatic Negotiations Over The Past Two Decades Being Reported By Al Jazeera

Introducing The Palestine Papers -- Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera has obtained more than 1,600 internal documents from a decade of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Over the last several months, Al Jazeera has been given unhindered access to the largest-ever leak of confidential documents related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There are nearly 1,700 files, thousands of pages of diplomatic correspondence detailing the inner workings of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. These documents – memos, e-mails, maps, minutes from private meetings, accounts of high level exchanges, strategy papers and even power point presentations – date from 1999 to 2010.

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More News On The Leak Of Israeli - Palestinian Peace Negotiations For The Past Decade

The Palestinian Papers -- Al Jazeera (Full Coverage)
The Palestinian Papers -- The Guardian (Full Coverage)

Two decades of secret Israeli-Palestinian accords leaked to media worldwide -- Al Haaretz
Thousands of confidential Palestinian documents leaked -- Jerusalem Post
Leaked documents show Palestinian Jerusalem offer -- AP
Palestinians offered Jerusalem concessions: leaks -- Reuters
PA: Al-Jazeera has declared war on Palestinians -- Jerusalem Post
"Shocking revelations" on Jerusalem -- Al Jazeera
FAQ: The Palestine Papers -- Al Jazeera
The story behind the Palestine papers -- The Guardian
Palestine papers: Now we know. Israel had a peace partner -- Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian

My Comment: To say that this leak of diplomatic documents is explosive .... now that is an understatement. The documents are in English (which is quite incredible when the two main parties speak Arabic and Hebrew), and for the past few hours I have been browsing these documents. I can spend the next few days just dedicated to this news story .... the information that is being leaked is truly astounding. Both Al Jazeera and The Guardian have made it easy to browse the main points of this story, I would recommend going there as a start to appreciate what has been leaked to the world's media.

On a personal note .... I will never look at the Middle East peace process in the matter that I have in the past .... my perceptions have now changed completely.

Israeli Soldiers Walk Free After Using 9 Year Old Boy As Human Shield

Israeli Soldiers Who Used Palestinian Boy, 9, As A Human Shield Avoid Jail -- The Guardian

Mother says suspended sentences and demotions for forcing her son to check bag for bombs at gunpoint are 'a scandal'.

Two Israeli soldiers who used a nine-year-old Palestinian boy as a human shield were given suspended sentences and demoted after being convicted of "inappropriate conduct".

The unnamed soldiers, from the Givati Brigade, ordered Majeh Rabah, from the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in Gaza City, to check bags for explosives in January 2009, towards the end of Israel's three-week offensive.

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My Comment: This is their punishment?!?!?! One more reason and symbol for both sides to continue the cycle hate.

Is An Israeli Pilot's Gun Worth 52 Palestinian And Lebanese Prisoners?

Israeli air force pilot Ron Arad

Israel 'Traded 52 Prisoners For Air Force Pilot's Gun' -- The Telegraph

Israel traded 52 Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners to the Hizbollah militia in exchange for the gun of an Israeli air force pilot who went missing in southern Lebanon in 1986, according to reports.

The Armalite AR-7 rifle, a light firearm designed to be used as a survival weapon, was carried by Ron Arad when his plane went down over southern Lebanon during the Lebanese civil war.

Eight years of indirect talks mediated by a German intelligence official failed to secure Arad's release and his whereabouts remains unknown.

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My Comment: I very much doubt that he is still alive after all of these years.

Violent Riots Break Out In Jerusalem

Photo from Press TV

Police Announce Calm After Riots Erupt In East Jerusalem --- Jerusalem Post

35-year-old shot dead by security guard; 10 people, 3 police officers injured; Fatah politician: death of east Jerusalem resident by private guard was 'calculated' act with 'political goals.'

Dozens of Palestinians on Wednesday that barricaded themselves in the al -Aska mosque on Temple Mount in Jerusalem dispersed and left the scene after Israeli security forces exited the area.

Police reported that a relative calm has been restored in the area after a day of violent clashes.

Read more ....

More News On Violent Riots In Jerusalem

Fatal shooting sets off violent clashes in East Jerusalem -- L.A. Times
Jerusalem clashes after Israeli guard kills Palestinian -- BBC
Israel Police leave Temple Mount as calm returns to Jerusalem -- Haaretz
Israeli Police Enter East Jerusalem Mosque Compound -- Voice of America
Clashes in Jerusalem after settler guard kills Palestinian -- Sydney Morning Herald
Killing by Israeli guard sparks riots -- Financial Times
Palestinians riot after guard kills man -- CNN
Israeli forces raid al-Aqsa Mosque -- Press TV (Iran)

Israeli Commandos Seize The Rachel Corrie

Israeli Defence Force boats approaching the Rachel Corrie Photo: REUTERS

Israeli Forces Board Gaza Aid Ship The Rachel Corrie -- The Telegraph

Israel has boarded the Gaza-bound aid ship Rachel Corrie without resistance after it refused to change course.

The takeover stood in marked contrast to a violent confrontation at sea earlier this week when Israeli commandos blocked a Turkish aid vessel trying to break the blockade.

At the time, Israeli commandos abseiled onto the deck from helicopters and a clash with passengers left nine pro-Palestinian activists dead.

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More News On the Israeli Seizure Of The Rachel Corrie

Israeli troops board aid ship bound for Gaza -- Times Online
Israeli navy peacefully takes control of aid ship -- Yahoo News/AFP
Israel boards Gaza aid ship -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Israeli soldiers board 2nd Gaza-bound ship -- UPI
Israel seizes seventh ship bound for Gaza -- Financial Times
Takeover ended in 5 minutes -- Ynet News

Were Al Qaeda Members Aboard The Gaza Aid Flotilla?

Breaking: 40 Of “Peace Activists” On Gaza Flotilla Are Al-Qaeda -- Gateway Pundit

Yesterday, the Obama Administration condemned Israel and sided with the Gaza Flotilla. Now there is word that 40 of the arrested flotilla “peace activists” are al-Qaeda.

Earlier, it was reported that a majority of the arrested “peace activists” who brutally attacked the Israeli soldiers with pipes, metal rods. chairs and knives are linked to terror groups including Al-Qaeda. Several are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The activists include Turks, Yemenites and Indonesians. And, many of the arrested “peace” fanatics have no identification papers.

The Arab Media reported that several of the flotilla participants were writing wills, preparing for martyrdom, and determined to reach Gaza or die.

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My Comment: I have known and corresponded with Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit for almost 7 years. I disagree with his politics at times, but what he posts is usually done with great care and thought. He is also a blogger who has contacts within the Israeli Government, and is an unapologetic Israeli supporter. But he has raised an important question .... who are the unidentified passengers on this flotilla?

My guess .... they are Islamic radicals traveling to Gaza in search of Jihad. I do expect their identities to be found out and disclosed in the next few days.