Israel intensifies Gaza offensive, rejects ceasefire

[sonz]

Israel intensified on Sunday its two-week long offensive in Gaza, with rapid-fire air strikes targeting Palestinian infrastructure, a day after rejecting a peace initiative by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh that included a mutual ceasefire, Reuters reported.

Yesterday, PM Ismail Haniyeh called for a truce to halt the Israeli offensive in Gaza, but Israel rejected his offer, repeating its demand that the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit must be safely released.

• Rejecting ceasefire

Israel has refused to release Palestinian prisoners it holds, a demand made by Palestinian fighters holding the Israeli soldier.

More than 9800 Palestinian prisoners are imprisoned in Israeli jails, but the fate of these detainees is not mentioned in the U.S.-backed peace plan for the Middle East, known as the Roadmap.

The Jewish State has previously threatened to extend and intensify its military operation in Gaza unless Palestinian resistance fighters, holding the Israeli soldier who was abducted in a raid on one of the Israeli military posts on June 25, “unconditionally” release him.

Israeli aircraft bombed several areas in western Gaza City early Sunday, and fired a missile at a group of Palestinians, wounding four of them, one seriously, Palestinian hospital officials said.

Ignoring an appeal from the United Nations to stop targeting the city’s infrastructure, Israeli forces launched airstrikes that caused the collapse of a key bridge in northern Gaza, and knocked out a power transformer serving the town of Beit Hanoun, according to witnesses.

The occupation army claimed that Palestinian fighters use the bridge to move rockets they fire at Israeli towns.

So far 50 Palestinians, including many civilians, and only one Israeli soldier, died in the unjustified offensive Israel started in Gaza last month, described by many analysts as an Israeli plot aimed at pressuring the Palestinian government step down to save the nation, already suffering extreme poverty due to international aid cut and now daily bombardment that’s claimed the lives of many civilians and inflicted a serious damage to the country’s infrastructure.

• Extending offensive

"We will soon begin operations in other places," Israeli Military Southern Command Chief Yoav Galant was quoted by Israeli media as saying. "I see no reason to stop the offensive as long as they are holding our soldier."

Galant added that the Israeli government plans to extend the current offensive in Gaza for "a month, two months and more if needed."

The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for ending the ongoing violence in Gaza Strip, voicing concern about an imminent humanitarian catastrophe there.

"As I have repeatedly stated, I am extremely concerned about the dangerous situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory. I am appealing for urgent action to alleviate the desperate humanitarian situation of the civilian population," Annan said.

"The Israeli air strikes on Gaza's only power plant have had a far-reaching impact on Gaza's hospitals, flour mills, water and sanitation systems."

• Awful situation

“The situation is awful,” said Majeda Saqqa of the Culture and Free Thought Association, which runs children’s centres in the southern Gaza Strip, commenting on the impact of Israel’s unjustified offensive in Gaza.

“Fuel is running out so it is hard to maintain the generators that lift water up from the wells so we have very little water,” she added.

“Petrol prices have doubled,” explained Ms Saqqa.

“It is very hot and humid and we have a huge problem with mosquitoes. The municipal garbage collection cannot operate due to lack of fuel so garbage in the streets is becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes.”

“We need to keep doors and windows open otherwise they will break due to the sonic booms so there are mosquitoes everywhere. On Sunday 2 June 2006 two small houses collapsed as a result of the sonic booms – luckily no one was hurt.”

The United Nations has previously warned that Gaza’s hospitals are running low on emergency items, which has its negative effect on the ability of medical services to handle casualties, expected to increase.

“The elderly [who live in large apartment blocks] can’t get to hospital for dialysis treatment as the lack of power means the lifts aren’t working,” said Saqqa.

“It is really terrifying when the sonic booms hit. They create a state of panic and children rush to hide under tables. Everybody is tired all the time as the sonic booms go on through the night. Nobody gets any sleep. Our staff can’t hide their fear.”

Also Ahmed Sourani of the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee, a partner of Christian Aid and other agencies, was quoted by Ekklesia as saying: “There is a real sense of depression and pessimism in Gaza – people are expecting things to get worse and that there will be an escalation of the situation”.

“Our children are traumatized – they want to sleep in the same bed as us at night. We are as scared as our children are but we cannot admit it for their sake,” he added.

AlJAzeera

 

[Ghazi]

They should do a trade free some palastinian prisoners and they'll get their guy back sounds fair.

 

[IbnAbdulHakim]

They should do a trade free some palastinian prisoners and they'll get their guy back sounds fair.

they most probably dont giv a carrot about the guy, they have there reason to do an all out invasion :anger:

 

[Nablus]

Ignoring an appeal from the United Nations to stop targeting the city’s infrastructure, Israeli forces launched airstrikes that caused the collapse of a key bridge in northern Gaza, and knocked out a power transformer serving the town of Beit Hanoun, according to witnesses.

Israel has the right to break the International Law!!!!!!!!!!

sarcastic

 

[ManchesterFolk]

A Hamas cease fire means Hamas launching 87 rockets into Israel and Israel getting condemned when they respond.

 

[united]

A Hamas cease fire means Hamas launching 87 rockets into Israel and Israel getting condemned when they respond.

the problem is that we forget that the palestinians only bother the israelis when they launch rockets etc. it is very easy for the israelis to forget about thepalestinians but the palestinians live daily with having to see the wall, stopping at checkpoints and random attacks which are rarely mentioned in the press.

 

[S_87]

A Hamas cease fire means Hamas launching 87 rockets into Israel and Israel getting condemned when they respond.

an israel ceasefire means bulldozing all the houses so the palestinians are sleeping out and then attacking from air and then saying omg a terrorist house lets go take that entire street down too.


israel has made so many martyrs out of muslims this week Alhumdulillah, so many prisoners theyve killed and when their soldier is killed, if hes killed then theyll start squealing like ..like stuff

 

[Isaac]

this is just a golden opporunity for the jewish terrorist to destroy the alreday weakned and poor infrastructure of palestine. Come of it, the murders blew up the only gas and electricty unit in ghaza, whih has cut of anny electricty and safe wter. if they are after the hamas militia, why on earth blow something like that u which is being used by all residents within ghaza.

 

[ManchesterFolk]

this is just a golden opporunity for the jewish terrorist to destroy the alreday weakned and poor infrastructure of palestine. Come of it, the murders blew up the only gas and electricty unit in ghaza, whih has cut of anny electricty and safe wter. if they are after the hamas militia, why on earth blow something like that u which is being used by all residents within ghaza.

When someone says 'Muslims terrorist' everyone goes nuts, but no one even flinches when someone says 'jewish terrorist' +o(

Very sad.

 

[Ghazi]

When someone says 'Muslims terrorist' everyone goes nuts, but no one even flinches when someone says 'jewish terrorist' +o(

Very sad.

no one said "jewish terrorist" isreali terrorist thats what i call them.

 

[Isaac]

no someone did say. it was me. just trying to prove a point, now im jusst one person thats made this claim and your just one perosn thats picked it up. But the word muslim terrorist is used day in day out by thousnads ad viwed by milliuons. See how it feels when there is no respect shown in the media. this is a forum, and now imagne the ffect of such a claim on the mass media. see how it feel? Point proven, how much difference a word could make.

 

[Trumble]

no one said "jewish terrorist" isreali terrorist thats what i call them.

Fair point. Although "Zionist terrorist" is also used, and is probably more accurate.

 

[HeiGou]

But the word muslim terrorist is used day in day out by thousnads ad viwed by milliuons. See how it feels when there is no respect shown in the media. this is a forum, and now imagne the ffect of such a claim on the mass media. see how it feel? Point proven, how much difference a word could make.

Where is the term "Muslim terrorist" used in the media? Where is it used day in and day out? The West has really worked hard to avoid calling the terrorists Muslims or linking this to Islam - every time Bush gets up to make a speach he says "this is about a fringe radical group who do not represent Islam". So does Blair.

It is striking that when the Times, as it does today, publishes someone who actually says this is about Islam it is a brave step that will undoubtedly get them press complaints.

 

[muslim_friend]

Fair point. Although "Zionist terrorist" is also used, and is probably more accurate.

I agree.'Zionist terrorism' is a better word. Also, calling these attrocities, acts of 'Jewish Terrorism' would be very wrong.

 

[muslim_friend]

Where is the term "Muslim terrorist" used in the media? Where is it used day in and day out? The West has really worked hard to avoid calling the terrorists Muslims or linking this to Islam - every time Bush gets up to make a speach he says "this is about a fringe radical group who do not represent Islam". So does Blair.

It is striking that when the Times, as it does today, publishes someone who actually says this is about Islam it is a brave step that will undoubtedly get them press complaints.

I can see you meant 'Muslim terrorist", but "Islamic Terrorism" is more of an insult.. It looks like the countries in the east are also bad mouthing Islam in the same way. They know pretty well, that Islam has nothing to do with this, yet they remain prejudiced..

 

[HeiGou]

I can see you meant 'Muslim terrorist", but "Islamic Terrorism" is more of an insult.. It looks like the countries in the east are also bad mouthing Islam in the same way. They know pretty well, that Islam has nothing to do with this, yet they remain prejudiced..

Actually he says that Islam has something to do with this. Why do you think that is prejudiced? They may misunderstand Islam, but they start from an Islamic point of view and in that they find justification for terrorism. I don't know where or how, but they do. Jews don't do this. Hindus do not either. Only Muslims and some Marxists. Their beliefs may be wrong but they are also what drives them to do what they do.

The West has tried very hard to be sensitive to Muslims. I think that was a mistake and a waste of time, but they have. Some Muslims, too many Muslims, have not reciprocated. Anyone see the "Muslim" "cleric" making jokes in the Times today?

At one point he announces dramatically that the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center “changed many people’s lives”. After a pause, he brings the house down by adding: “Especially those inside.”​

 

[Isaac]

The unfair treatment of western media towards Islam and Muslims is not new to many people. The biased reporting, stereotype stories and hidden hate towards Muslims of the world are facts of western journalism. These champions of the free world who claim that their reporting standards are very high, they are honest and feel responsible to provide correct information to their audiences are in fact, have dual standards of reporting. They intentionally dramatize a situation in order to market their programs and increase their market share at any cost. They are not honest when a news item or a story involves a practicing Muslim or religion of Islam.

The Muslims of North America, Europe and Australia have been under a constant threat from these media organizations. These media organizations including all TV network, most of the Radio stations and all-major newspapers of North America, Europe and Australia have been controlled / influenced by special interest groups. These special interest groups through the western media are not only misleading the people of North America, Europe and Australia but also trying to build walls between Islam and the people of other faiths such as Christians and Jews.

These media organizations are purposely creating a very wrong image of Islam and Muslims. The main objective of these media organizations is to create, through their own judgments, such a horrible image of Islamic teachings that the people in the west not only consider Islam as a threat towards western cultures but also feel threatened by the Muslims. A common person who is very busy to fulfill his / her economic and social needs and does not have time to investigate the situation, heavily depends upon the media reporting. If TV, Radio and the Newspapers are not honest in their reporting then the listeners or the readers of western media will not be able to get the truth. Rather, it creates misunderstanding among the various religious and ethnic groups, which creates animosity, hate and intolerance for each other. The Muslim minority of North America, Europe and Australia has been suffering from this unfair and very biased treatment of the media for a long time.

Every time when an incident of terrorism happens anywhere in the world the Muslims living in Western World specially in North America gets terrorized by the horrors of the news media. The way newscasters on radio and TV broadcast and print media prints the news, it's always very clear that all these newscasters and reporters not only try very hard to find a Muslim name to be associated with the incident. These journalists who portray themselves as the champions of humanity and professionalism become so unprofessional and inhuman that sometime they do not realize the outcome of their hurried and rushed reporting. You may be asking what proof do I have to support my arguments? Let me give you some examples from the recent memories.

April 19, 1995, when the Murrah Federal building in downtown Oklahoma City, was bombed. The entire media organizations in USA and Canada declared the Islamic connection in the destruction of the building. The media speculated and blamed Muslims for the destruction and killings of innocent civilians. The way TV networks including CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, CBC projected and propagated Muslims as terrorists and Islam as the religion of intolerance, the majority of the people in USA and Canada believed these false reports of the media. The majority of the people not only tried to isolate Muslim minority but many Muslims became victims of this malicious propaganda. As we all know that these reports were completely false. There was no Muslim connection in this bombardment. Two fundamentalist Christians were convicted in this case. But no media organizations identified 27-year-old Timothy McVeigh and his ex-Army buddy, Terry Nichols as Christian terrorists.
July 17, 1996 the crash of TWA 800 flight off New York's Long Island in which 230 people aboard the Paris-bound Boeing 747 died was initially blamed upon Muslim organizations. The media was very irresponsible in reporting this incident. They not only provided the false information to the audiences but also forcefully tried to involve Muslims in this destruction. Later, the investigators did not find any Muslim connections to the crash. But media had done its damage and once again created bad feelings among the people of the United States for Islam and Muslims.
October 31, 1999 EgyptAir flight 990 crashed off the coast of Massachusetts. All 217 passenger died in the crash. Because of the previous lessons learned on TWA 800 flight; the media did not jump to the Muslim connection quickly. But as soon as media reporters found out from the flight voice recorder that the Captain has said some prayers before the crash, they made astonishing and very ignorant remarks about these religious supplications. They assumed that the Captain said these prayers because he was going to commit suicide and destroy the entire plane with him. This shows how knowledgeable these investigators are? And how knowledgeable these media reporters are? A Muslim makes such prayers / supplications everyday when he / she starts the journey OR when he / she is in danger of an accident. We seek God's help in these types of situations by making such supplications. No doubt, a Muslims relies on his or her judgment, training and technology but ultimately he / she relies on God as a final authority for all outcomes. These supplications do not indicate that the pilot was committing suicide. These supplications prove that he was seeking God's help. By the way, these supplications also prove that the pilot was knowledgeable about the teachings of Islam and he must have known that suicide is a major sin in Islam. But media took these supplications as an opportunity to once again misguide the people about the Islamic beliefs and project Muslims as killers.
We can quote several similar incidents where no Muslim was involved in the incident but media used its twisting techniques and told the wrong information. Media always tried to portray Islam as a religion of terror and all the Muslims as terrorists. The way talk-show programs and news are produced and presented, it seems that the media has already decided the guilty verdict regardless what would be the outcome of an investigation.

Why the media would not tell about the religious affiliation of a terrorist if he or she would not be a Muslim? But when a Muslim individual is involved in any terrorist incident, his / her name is identified later but his / her religion is identified first. When a news comes from Algeria about a killing incident, the media is very quick in using the word "Muslim Terrorists", "Muslim Extremists", "Muslim Fundamentalists", "Islamic Rebels" etc. When the similar killings take place in Zimbabwe, Congo, Rwanda, media never identifies anyone as Christians. How about Serbia? When Serbs were killing Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo, Media never said that these Serbs are killing Muslims in the name of Christianity. These Serbs are Fundamentalist Christians and Christian Terrorists. When Croats were killing Muslims in Bosnia and Croatia, no media identified them as Christian Terrorists. When in Kashmir, if a Hindu person dies, the blame goes immediately on Islamic Militants but when a Muslim dies no one identifies his / her killer as a Hindu. Does anyone know why?

Why CNN and other network TV stations identify a group of people who attack on Israel from Lebanon as Muslim extremists? Why the people who retaliate from Israeli side are not identified with their religious affiliation regardless whether they are defending Israel or attacking the enemies of Israel? If one group is identified with its religious affiliation and the other group with its country affiliation, this proves how biased and unfair these reporters are? Either both groups should be identified with their religious affiliation or both should be identified with their country affiliation.

Recently, Pope Paul II visited holy lands. During this visit, Larry King of CNN invited various distinguished Christian and Jew guests in his show "Larry King Live" to talk about religious harmony. But Larry was unable to find a single Muslim scholar for this show. I do not think that Larry does not know that the largest population of that region where Jesus (peace be upon him) was born is Muslim. Pope was not only welcomed by Christians and Jews but the majority of the people who attended his masses and gatherings were Muslims. Pope visited the most sacred places of all three religions. But Larry King invited only Christians and Jews not a Muslim? This may not be very important but it shows how Larry King / CNN think. Producing a documentary on Hajj by CNN may not be as important as involving Muslims of USA in social, economical and political process and discussions on CNN.

Remember that Islam means Peace and Muslim means a believer from whose hands and tongue the others are safe. It is not possible that a true Muslim can be a terrorist. I am not trying to say that at present times, the entire Muslim community is perfect. I am not saying that the Muslim community does not have any bad element. What I am trying to convey is a request to the entire media organization to be fair and honest in their reporting. Treat the Muslim community as you treat the Christian and Jewish communities. In case of a Christian or a Jew, you are able to separate an individual action from his / her community action, why are you unable to do the same thing with Muslims? Just like Christianity or Judaism, Islam forbids its followers to harm or kill or make hostage anyone. while the media can understand the teachings of Christianity and Judaism why they have difficulty in understanding similar teachings of Islam? Is this intentional? Why media organizations do not want to play a positive role in bringing the followers of Islam, Christianity and Judaism together? Why these media organizations treat a Christian or a Jew different than a Muslim? Why are these media organizations afraid of Islam and Muslims? The problems of extremism do exist in Muslim community just like in Christian and Jewish communities. Why the problem in Muslim community is exploited more than the Christian or Jewish communities?

The extremism in very small pockets of Muslim community is caused by;

The oppression of Muslims and their counties by the Western world in 1700, 1800 and early 1900 in the name of imperialism, colonialism and communism.
The continuation of this oppression by the West in the name of secularism and capitalism.
The following of some of the self claimed Muslim scholars who practice and preach violence in the name of Islam to benefit their own personal interests. These people have misused the concept of Jihad and they have their own interpretation of Jihad. They have ignored the interpretation of Jihad what last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has given to the Muslims.
Muslims Against Terrorism (M.A.T)

To help the governments and the media organizations of the Western World in order to understand Islam and Muslims beliefs, Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT) has been established with the following objectives.

To create awareness that Islam requires from its followers to be peaceful and sincere with the all humans.
To educate Muslims and non-Muslims that Islam has no place for terrorism and racism.
To educate Muslims and non-Muslims what Jihad is? And it's various aspects.
To create awareness about the teachings of Qur'an and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) regarding the roles and responsibilities of an individual, a government and a group of Muslims in Muslim and non-Muslim countries.
To help young Muslims in their social, economical and educational affairs.
To provide Muslim perspective to media when needed.
To use the justice system against those media channels (radio, TV and newspapers etc..) which propagate false information against Islam and Muslims
To use justice system against those media channels (radio, TV and newspapers etc.) which identify a terrorist based upon his / her religion.
The Purpose of this organization is to help media and the governments to separate someone's individual action from being portrayed as a community action. A terrorist should be identified and condemned as a terrorist but a terrorist should not be identified with his / her religious affiliation. Why a terrorist who happens to be a Muslim is identified as a Muslim terrorist? How about the terrorists of other religions? Why aren't they identified and associated with their religions? US installations and citizens are under more terrorist attacks from South American terrorists than any other part of the world. Why aren't they identified as Christian terrorists? The white Supremacist groups in the Western world are fundamentalist Christians. Why their terrorist attacks on Blacks and other ethnic groups aren't reported and associated with their religion. Unless, the people who believe in justice for all are united to standup for their rights, the media will continue to create a negative image of Muslims and Islam.

M.A.T. executives and members will be happy to assist any media organization by providing them the correct information. We urge the media to be careful in their reporting and do not use the word such as "Muslim Terrorist", "Islamic Terrorist", Muslim Extremist", Islamic Extremist", "Muslim fundamentalist", "Islamic Fundamentalist", etc. Such things do not exist. If an individual who happens to be a Muslim commits a crime, his / her name should be identified not his / her religion. Like media does for other non-Muslim criminals. The worldwide members of MAT monitor media reports very closely. We also urge all the Muslims and non-Muslims to report us any media reporting which they feel was a biased reporting against Islam or any other religion.

Muslims are the most law-abiding citizens of the Western World. The crime rate among Muslims in North America is the least among all ethnic groups. The external threats to USA are more from South America and Russian Mafia then Middle East or any other Muslim country. Why media picks-up on Muslims whenever an incident of terrorism occurs or about to occur? We may not know all the answers but we are sure that this is happening because of ignorance about Islam, Muslim beliefs, and prejudice and stereotype approach towards non-western cultures.

Its never too late. Let's work together and join M.A.T or use services from M.A.T. for this noble cause of counter terrorism. May God help us in making this world a peaceful place for everyone. Amen.

Please forward this message to as many people as you can. Please print it and distribute in your area.

Following is the contact information to reach M.A.T.

 

[Isaac]

not justfying his actions, but does anybody remeber the gi that made a song about killing innocent iraqis and using them as a practice target.

 

[muslim_friend]

Actually he says that Islam has something to do with this. Why do you think that is prejudiced? They may misunderstand Islam, but they start from an Islamic point of view and in that they find justification for terrorism.

But these are not some ordinary ignorant people.. i'm talking about the press. they are the ones who provide information to the world.They get their facts right. I'm pretty sure today's media is prejudiced.. Daniel pipes talks against Islam, yet John Esposito defends Islam? Both are non-muslims.the media knows the truth, but it's resorting to terminologies to brainwash people.

I don't know where or how, but they do. Jews don't do this. Hindus do not either. Only Muslims and some Marxists. Their beliefs may be wrong but they are also what drives them to do what they do.

You are very wrong in saying that. You have the extremist hindutva parties justifying their gujarat acts, same case as with the zionists, and i surely don't deny that some muslims try justifying terror attacks in the name of Islam.but these people are so very few in number, why does the media have to highlight their opinions only?

The West has tried very hard to be sensitive to Muslims.

I dont live in the west.. but the way i see things, i'll say the west is trying to give an impression that it is 'sensitive'. If it was really sensitive, why would headscarves be banned in france? or house doors broken down in london?

At one point he announces dramatically that the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center “changed many people’s lives”. After a pause, he brings the house down by adding: “Especially those inside.”​

give me an idea who your'e talking about?

 

[HeiGou]

Actually he says that Islam has something to do with this. Why do you think that is prejudiced? They may misunderstand Islam, but they start from an Islamic point of view and in that they find justification for terrorism.

But these are not some ordinary ignorant people.. i'm talking about the press. they are the ones who provide information to the world.They get their facts right. I'm pretty sure today's media is prejudiced.. Daniel pipes talks against Islam, yet John Esposito defends Islam? Both are non-muslims.the media knows the truth, but it's resorting to terminologies to brainwash people.

I agree they are in the press. If the media is so prejudiced, why is John Esposito printed so much more than Daniel Pipes? In fact when was DP's last mainstream media appearance? I have just looked at his website and he seems to be published by two "papers" only - Frontpage (a website not a newspaper) and the New York Sun (a Murdoch tabloid). Esposito got an article in the Guardian yesterday.

I don't know where or how, but they do. Jews don't do this. Hindus do not either. Only Muslims and some Marxists. Their beliefs may be wrong but they are also what drives them to do what they do.

You are very wrong in saying that. You have the extremist hindutva parties justifying their gujarat acts, same case as with the zionists, and i surely don't deny that some muslims try justifying terror attacks in the name of Islam.but these people are so very few in number, why does the media have to highlight their opinions only?

Why am I very wrong? I agree the BJP is not nice and they justify bad things. But they do not blow people up on the London Underground. The few have a disproportionate influence on us - you know, blowing thing up tends to attract attention. But what else are Muslims doing? Where are the good news stories? Where are the Muslims building hospitals or schools?

The West has tried very hard to be sensitive to Muslims.

I dont live in the west.. but the way i see things, i'll say the west is trying to give an impression that it is 'sensitive'. If it was really sensitive, why would headscarves be banned in france? or house doors broken down in london?

France only bans them in schools and the police have to raid suspected terrorist houses. What is wrong with that? The problem is the lack of sensitivity in return - why are you and other Muslims complaining about the Forest Gate raids? Why aren't you supportive?

give me an idea who your'e talking about?

A guy called Omar Brooks - he is an Imam in Birmingham and I will delete what I just wrote in case the Mods get annoyed.