Post by Teddy Bear on Dec 6, 2007 15:52:43 GMT
Over 2000 Kassam rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Gaza into neighbouring Israel in 2007 alone. In response the Israeli army have launched occasional land and air raids on the sites where these attacks emanate from, usually fired by Hamas miltants.
Also, Israel has reduced the amount of fuel it now allows into Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas since it ousted Fatah in gun battles earlier this year. Point being, if Hamas wants 'business as usual', stop firing rockets into Israel.
Now according to Gaza officials, 'hospitals in Gaza are beginning to run out of fuel'. It might have something to do with the way Hamas allocates the fuel still available to them. It most certainly would not have been helped by the fuel company there refusing a delivery after it was offered just one-quarter of the normal amount it receives.
The association's chairman said accepting such low supplies would amount to participating in what he called "collective punishment by Israel".
So refusing to accept even a quarter of the normal to keep important institutions running is not participating in that punishment? In any event, hospitals are running low on fuel.
Now read the article below by the BBC. Naturally Israel is blamed for everything, including patients having died while waiting for permits to leave Gaza for Egypt to receive treatment there. I would have thought it would be obvious to everybody that if you want to reduce hardship for residents of Gaza, simply halting the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel would help enormously.
Also, Israel has reduced the amount of fuel it now allows into Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas since it ousted Fatah in gun battles earlier this year. Point being, if Hamas wants 'business as usual', stop firing rockets into Israel.
Now according to Gaza officials, 'hospitals in Gaza are beginning to run out of fuel'. It might have something to do with the way Hamas allocates the fuel still available to them. It most certainly would not have been helped by the fuel company there refusing a delivery after it was offered just one-quarter of the normal amount it receives.
The association's chairman said accepting such low supplies would amount to participating in what he called "collective punishment by Israel".
So refusing to accept even a quarter of the normal to keep important institutions running is not participating in that punishment? In any event, hospitals are running low on fuel.
Now read the article below by the BBC. Naturally Israel is blamed for everything, including patients having died while waiting for permits to leave Gaza for Egypt to receive treatment there. I would have thought it would be obvious to everybody that if you want to reduce hardship for residents of Gaza, simply halting the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel would help enormously.
Israel hits Gaza amid fuel fears
Four Hamas militants have been killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip.
The army said one was about to launch mortar shells at Israel from near Gaza City - a claim disputed by Hamas. Three died in fighting near the Gaza border.
Israeli troops have killed about 20 people in the coastal strip in less than a week, mostly Hamas members.
The incidents come as medical officials in Gaza say hospitals are beginning to run out of vital fuel supplies.
Israel says its actions in Gaza are a response to security threats, including the regular firing of rockets into its territory.
'Collective punishment'
The BBC's correspondent in the Palestinian territories, Aleem Maqbool, says it is not just military pressure that Israel is exerting on Gaza. Sanctions have been imposed as well.
These include the reduction of fuel supplies upon which Gaza depends. On Sunday, the Fuel Companies Association there said it refused a delivery after it was offered just one-quarter of the normal amount it receives.
The association's chairman said accepting such low supplies would amount to participating in what he called "collective punishment by Israel".
Officials say most petrol stations in Gaza have shut, and that medical patients are now at risk because fuel supplies at hospitals - vital for running generators - are running out.
There has been good news for some, our correspondent says: Israel allowed around 250 people to leave Gaza for Egypt.
Most either study or work abroad, but had been trapped since June, following the Hamas takeover of the territory, when Israel imposed strict travel restrictions.
Several thousand people, needing to get out of Gaza, have registered with the Israeli authorities.
They include medical patients, some of whom have died in recent weeks, waiting for treatment only available outside Gaza.
Four Hamas militants have been killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip.
The army said one was about to launch mortar shells at Israel from near Gaza City - a claim disputed by Hamas. Three died in fighting near the Gaza border.
Israeli troops have killed about 20 people in the coastal strip in less than a week, mostly Hamas members.
The incidents come as medical officials in Gaza say hospitals are beginning to run out of vital fuel supplies.
Israel says its actions in Gaza are a response to security threats, including the regular firing of rockets into its territory.
'Collective punishment'
The BBC's correspondent in the Palestinian territories, Aleem Maqbool, says it is not just military pressure that Israel is exerting on Gaza. Sanctions have been imposed as well.
These include the reduction of fuel supplies upon which Gaza depends. On Sunday, the Fuel Companies Association there said it refused a delivery after it was offered just one-quarter of the normal amount it receives.
The association's chairman said accepting such low supplies would amount to participating in what he called "collective punishment by Israel".
Officials say most petrol stations in Gaza have shut, and that medical patients are now at risk because fuel supplies at hospitals - vital for running generators - are running out.
There has been good news for some, our correspondent says: Israel allowed around 250 people to leave Gaza for Egypt.
Most either study or work abroad, but had been trapped since June, following the Hamas takeover of the territory, when Israel imposed strict travel restrictions.
Several thousand people, needing to get out of Gaza, have registered with the Israeli authorities.
They include medical patients, some of whom have died in recent weeks, waiting for treatment only available outside Gaza.