Gaga over Gaza
Hamas, in keeping with its Kumbayahist philosophy, is organizing “Hands across Gaza,” and the Israelis are worried about it. As well they should be. NYT:
JERUSALEM — The Israeli Army increased its forces on the Israeli side of the border fence with the Gaza Strip on Sunday after Palestinian advocates there had called on residents to form a human chain on Monday along the Gaza side, from Rafah in the south to the Erez crossing in the north.
The advocates are protesting the embargo imposed by Israel since the Islamic militant group Hamas took over Gaza last June. Israel recently tightened the blockade in response to intensified rocket fire from the strip.
There are concerns in Israel that a mass of Gaza residents might try to break through the border, as they breached the border with Egypt last month. Hamas militants blew holes in a wall separating the two, and residents poured into the Egyptian Sinai to shop. The border remained open for 11 days.
“The army has made the appropriate preparations in accordance with the Palestinian reports,” an Israeli Army spokeswoman said.
Israel’s Channel Two television reported that the army had increased its artillery units along the border.
An organizer of the march in Gaza, Jamal al-Khudary, a lawmaker who leads the Popular Anti-Siege Committee, told Reuters: “We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south. We hope all the participants will abide by the instructions and we will try to prevent any violations.”
As the article notes, other recent Hamas gestures have included Rockets Into Israel and Mobs Through the Border Fence. Then there was Fatah Off Rooftops. Speaking of which, the Abbas administration recently found fault with itself on that. Sort of. The Abbas-appointed panel found Abbas knew about Hamas plans to take over Gaza, but faults his underlings for doing nothing about it. Of course that wasn’t all bad in the end. The terrorist group known as Hamas managed to isolate itself and earn nearly global condemnation, and in fact the situation turned very much to Abbas’ advantage. Critics are calling the report a whitewash, but I’m a little surprised they undertook one at all.
Ha’aretz notes the peaceful protest will include thousands of schoolchildren throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers at Erez.
Hudari insisted that the organizers have no intention of the human chain becoming party to a confrontation with the IDF, and said their aim was only to hold a peaceful protest. However, it appears that Hamas, which is behind the planning of the march, intends to help with the transfering of thousands to the area where the demonstration will be held.It is also possible that the demonstrators will approach the Erez crossing or other border crossings, in order to confront the army.
Palestinian journalists said yesterday that Hamas is likely to bring school children to Erez and other potential sites of friction, who will be sent near the crossings to throw stones, as the cameras are rolling.
The same sources said that the events will be similar to those at the Western Wall Tunnel in 1996, and there will be no rushing the fence - only challenging the troops from afar.
In Southern Command and the Gaza Division, special orders were issued yesterday on how to prevent a possible breach of the fence by demonstrators, as Haaretz repored yesterday.
The command decided to substantially bolster the presence of troops near the fence, and the rules of engagement issued include various levels of warning, including, in cases where it is necessary, the use of live ammunition “selectively.”
The commanders on the ground were granted a certain latitude of independence in deciding when it would be necessary to open fire. Senior officers in the Southern Command visited the fence area yesterday morning in order to closely oversee the preparations to counter the demonstrations while means for dispersing demonstrations were distributed to the troop.
Border Police units that specialize in crowd dispersal have also been sent to the area while for its part, the police will also upgrade its readiness level to a notch under maximum. Police units will also be transferred south in order to bolster the IDF in blocking any breach to the fence.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said last night that “Hamas is behind this activity that is intentionally placing the civilians at the front - and not for the first time.”
“Israel does not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip, but it will defend its territory and will prevent a breach of its sovereign borders,” Barak added. “We are working to prevent a deterioration and we are making it clear if something happens, the sole responsibility will be on Hamas.”
Topics: Palestinians
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 8:18 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2008
3 Responses to “Gaga over Gaza”
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February 24th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
My advice for the Israelis. Shoot the cameramen first.
February 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Good advice, Robert.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Look, I’m not for an all out bullet led resolution to the Hamas problem, but they ARE lining up…