June 15, 2007

Where are the civilian casualties in Palestinian fighting?

Adolfo G. Fabregat

I've been searching and searching for reports of civilian casualties in the current fighting between Hamas and Fatah and guess what? I could not find a single instance.

These guys must have very precise weapons.

On the BBC website I visited last night, there was even a prominently displayed "photo gallery" of the conflict. There, I saw pictures of rubble but not to my surprise no babies buried in it; I saw pictures of burnng buildings but none of them were schools or hospitals; and I read reports of casulaties but always vaguely referred to as "people killed".

Here is a sample from the current top stories form BBC, Reuters and AP

Notice how they all say "people", but remember last summer when Israel was involved it is always babies or "innocent bystanders".

BBC: "More than 100 people have died during a week of violent battles on the streets of Gaza. "

BBC: "At least 20 Palestinians died as the latest battles raged throughout Gaza."

Reuters: "Medics said at least another 30 people were killed during the day, taking the death toll since Saturday to over 110 in a civil war that has driven a wedge between Gaza and the West Bank and leaves an aggressive Islamist entity on Israel's borders."

AP: "The violence has killed at least 90 people in the past five days, including 33 on Thursday alone. Witnesses, Fatah officials and a doctor reported executions by Hamas militants of defeated Fatah fighters Thursday; Fatah said seven of its men were shot in the head gangland-style. Hamas denied any such killings."

Draw your own conclusions.

Report: Israel offered deal for Schalit

JPost staff and AP, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 17, 2007
Israel has offered to remove the economic embargo on Hamas if kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit is freed and Kassam rocket attacks stop, the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Sunday morning.

The message was reportedly conveyed to the Islamic group via Arab mediators.

A Hamas source in the Gaza Strip was pessimistic about the seriousness of the proposal, telling Al-Hayat that it was an Israeli attempt to "put out the feelers" on the now Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

He said that Israel had proposed a removal of the embargo, which has been in place since the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006, allowing the delivery of merchandise to Gaza.

However, according to the report, Israel remained steadfast in its refusal to transfer frozen tax revenues or other funds in exchange for Schalit.

On Thursday, diplomatic sources said that in light of the current infighting in Gaza between Fatah and Hamas, the frequency of negotiations over Schalit's release had gone down.

According to the sources, contacts between Hamas and Egypt - who has been serving as mediator between Hamas and Israel - would only resume once the situation in Gaza stabilized.

Meanwhile, the Hamas source added that kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston would be freed by this weekend. He said that the kidnappers, who belong to the Durmush clan, recently contacted Hamas, who threatened that if Johnston were not released within 48 hours Hamas would use force.

Another Hamas official said that Johnston, who has been held since March, would be freed soon.

"All I can say is that Alan will be free very soon," Islam Shahwan, spokesman for Hamas in Gaza, said Sunday.

However, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, downplayed hopes for his quick release, saying, "there is nothing new yet regarding Alan."

Gaza group threatens to kill Johnston

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AP and Khaled Abu Toameh , THE JERUSALEM POST

Jun. 17, 2007

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A shadowy group holding a British correspondent for three months threatened on Sunday to kill him in a video broadcast by the Al-Jazeera satellite TV channel.

A spokesman for The Army of Islam, identified as Abu Khattab, told Al-Jazeera that there was no deal to release BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, and "if the situation gets more complicated concerning us and our group, then we will ingrate ourselves to Allah by slaying this journalist."

The authenticity of the video could not be independently confirmed. Earlier, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza said there had been no new developments in the case, despite reports that Johnston would be released soon.

Johnston, who was kidnapped about three months ago in Gaza City, is said to be held by members of the Dughmush clan, who are demanding money and jobs in the Palestinian Authority.

Earlier Sunday, Islam Shahwan, a spokesman for Hamas' militia, said Johnston would be freed "very soon." But Sami Abu Zuhri, another Hamas official, played down hopes for his quick release, saying, "there is nothing new yet regarding Alan."

Palestinian officials have said they know where to find Johnston, but have held back on raiding the hideout at Britain's request, for fear of harming him.

The deposed PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said earlier that Hamas was moving in a "serious, active way" to win Johnston's release.

"We are moving in a serious, active way and I hope, God willing, that this issue will soon end," Haniyeh said. "We are all concerned ... for the safety and security of Alan Johnston."

On Saturday, Hamas had issued an ultimatum to Mumtaz Dughmush, the head of the notorious Dughmush clan, to release kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston within 24 hours.

Johnston, 45, was seen for the first since his abduction in a video posted two weeks ago on a Web site used by Islamic militants. He appeared calm and said he was being treated well and was in good health.

His disappearance, the longest of any Western journalist abducted in Gaza, has sparked numerous protests and solidarity marches in London and the Palestinian territories.

 

BBC man 'seen in explosives belt'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya has said the kidnappers of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have made a new video showing him wearing an explosives belt.

"In the past they showed him in an orange uniform. Today they showed him with an explosives belt round his waist," Mr Haniya said in Gaza.

The video recording has not been seen in public.

The BBC says it is aware of the reports and is investigating. Alan Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza on 12 March.

Hamas has set a deadline of Monday for the kidnappers to release him.

"We will not allow the continuation of the abduction of the British journalist. The issue of Alan Johnston must end," Mr Haniya said in a speech to his supporters.

He did not explain in what circumstances he had seen the video.

The British Foreign Office said it deplored such footage.

"We condemn the continued release of videos like this which can only add to the distress of Alan Johnston's family and friends," a spokeswoman said.

"They have not seen Alan for over 14 weeks. Those holding Alan should release him."

Previous video

The reporter was abducted by a group calling itself The Army of Islam.

A video was released on 1 June by the previously unknown radical Islamist group, in which Alan Johnston said he was in good health and was being treated well.

The Army of Islam has demanded the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born Islamic cleric who is suspected of having close links with al-Qaeda and is held by the UK government as a threat to national security.

Mr Johnston was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza and his abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and human rights groups around the world.

More than 170,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release.

 

Israel lets Hamas member enter Gaza

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Yaakov Katz, THE JERUSALEM POST

Jun. 27, 2007

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Despite Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) opposition and per the request of the BBC, the coordinator of government activities allowed a Hamas member who works for the BBC to enter the Gaza Strip last week to assist in efforts to release kidnapped journalist Alan Johnston.

Defense officials told The Jerusalem Post that a week ago, a request came from the BBC asking that a Palestinian employee of the news company who is believed to be a close associate of senior Hamas officials be allowed to enter Gaza.

The employee, who lives in Gaza, had traveled to Egypt with his wife for medical reasons and the BBC told Israeli officials that they believed he could assist in negotiating Johnston's release.

The Shin Bet objected to the BBC request, saying that the employee was actually a member of Hamas, and perhaps even a terrorist operative.

In the end, however, the Defense Ministry decided to allow him to to enter Israel from Jordan via the Allenby Bridge and then to enter northern Gaza through the Erez crossing.

He was not able to enter Gaza directly from Egypt since the Rafah crossing was closed.

Johnston was abducted by the Army of Islam terrorist group on March 12.

On Monday, a videotape of Johnston wearing an explosives belt was released, with the journalist warning that his captors intend to detonate the belt if Hamas or anyone else attempted to free him by force.

"We did not want to be blamed for holding up Johnston's release," one official said, explaining the decision to allow the Hamas member into Gaza.

"If we had rejected the request the British would be able to use our decision as an excuse for why Johnston is not being released."

The Palestinian entered Gaza, and after a few days informed his BBC employers that Johnston was not being held by Hamas and therefore the group had little influence over his captors, believed to be from the Army of Islam and members of the Durmush clan from the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip.

The decision to allow the BBC employee to enter Gaza was not the first time that Israel has bent its rules and allowed people believed to hold influence over Hamas into the Gaza Strip.

In April, Israel allowed a delegation of Arab diplomats and security officials from countries with which it does not have diplomatic relations - including Saudi Arabia - to enter Gaza on behalf of the British government.

 

Hamas arrests Army of Islam official

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Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST

Jul. 2, 2007

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Hamas on Monday arrested the spokesman of a shadowy group holding British reporter Alan Johnston, a move that could give it a bargaining chip to secure the Briton's release.

Hamas has demanded that the Army of Islam, led by a violent Gaza clan, free Johnston, who was kidnapped on a Gaza City street on March 12.

But the group, whose formerly close relations with Hamas have soured, has demanded that Britain first release a radical Islamic cleric with ties to al-Qaida who is being held in a British prison.

The Army of Islam threatened to release what it said were damaging documents about Hamas if its man weren't freed. The alleged misconduct wasn't specified.

The Army of Islam spokesman, Abu Khatab al-Maqdisi, came to prominence after threatening last month to kill Johnston if Britain didn't release a radical Islamic cleric with ties to al-Qaida.

He was arrested while trying to fire on members of a Hamas-allied security force, said Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official. The Army of Islam said in a statement that al-Maqdisi was leaving early morning prayers.

Abu Zuhri denied any link between al-Maqsidi's arrest and efforts to free Johnston.

Al-Maqdisi, he said, "was arrested in a gun battle."

In retaliation, the Army of Islam kidnapped 10 Hamas members in Gaza.

 

Hamas steps up pressure on captors of Johnston

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Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST

Jul. 3, 2007

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Hamas gunmen took up positions around the stronghold of the shadowy group holding kidnapped British journalist Alan Johnston on Tuesday, stepping up the pressure to secure the correspondent's release.

Members of Hamas's 6,000-strong militia moved onto rooftops of high-rise buildings and deployed gunmen in streets in the Gaza City neighborhood inhabited by the Doghmush clan. The large, heavily armed family leads the Army of Islam, a little known group that has been holding Johnston for nearly four months.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal said security forces "will not spare any efforts to free the British journalist." Hamas radio also broadcast a toll free phone number, urging people to call in any information about the case. Witnesses said at least four members of the Doghmush clan were detained by Hamas.

Since seizing control of Gaza last month, Hamas has demanded Johnston's release in an apparent bid to gain favor with the West.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum accused Johnston's captors of smearing the Palestinian people's reputation and of seeking "to prove to the world that we are a group of militias that fight each other to gain personal ends."  

The Army of Islam, whose formerly close relations with Hamas have soured, has demanded that Britain first release a radical Islamic cleric with ties to al Qaida. It also has threatened to kill Johnston if Hamas tried to free him by force.

On Monday, Hamas arrested the spokesman of the Army of Islam, giving it a potentially valuable bargaining chip in its efforts to release Johnston.

Johnston, who was kidnapped on March 12, has been held far longer than any Western journalist abducted in Gaza. Hamas has said it knows where to find him, but has not raided the hideout for fear he will come to harm.

Last week, the Army of Islam posted a video message from Johnston on a militant Web site in which he appeared to be wearing an explosives belt that he said his captors would detonate if there was an attempt to free him.

The same group was involved in the capture of Cpl. Gilad Schalit, who was seized more than a year ago in a raid on an IDF post near Gaza.

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Palestinian Sources: Johnston Released In Deal Between Hamas, Jaysh Al-Islam

Sources close to Jaysh Al-Islam have revealed that the organization received $5 million and a million Kalashnikov rifle bullets in a deal for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.

According to Palestinian sources, Jaysh Al-Islam commander Mumtaz Daghmoush received a guarantee from Hamas that he would not stand trial for crimes he was suspected of carrying out, and that Hamas would release Jaysh Al-Islam's spokesman, whom it was holding.

Further, Hamas and Jaysh Al-Islam agreed not to reveal which operations they had carried out jointly.

Dismissed Palestinian prime minister Isma'il Haniya denied that there had been a deal or preconditions in the matter of Johnston's release.

Source: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Palestinian Authority, July 6, 2007

Posted at: 2007-07-06

 

Details of Johnston deal in dispute

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Khaled Abu Toameh, THE JERUSALEM POST

Jul. 5, 2007

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Members of the powerful Dughmush family in Gaza and Hamas officials clashed Thursday over what the clan claimed was a deal struck to gain the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.

Johnston was released from captivity on Wednesday, and members of the powerful clan said on Thursday that in line with the agreement, the clan's Army of Islam gang would be recognized as a legitimate Palestinian faction in the Gaza Strip.

They also said the accord allowed the clan's private militia to keep its weapons, and denied reports that Hamas had paid a huge ransom for Johnston's release.

Johnston pays 'thank-you' visit to Abbas

However, a senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip said his movement was determined to disarm the Dughmushes.

"There is a decision by Hamas to confiscate the weapons of all clans and gangs in the Gaza Strip," the official said. "It's only a matter of time before the Dughmush clan is also disarmed."

The Hamas official said the Army of Islam, which is headed by Mumtaz Dughmush, was "nothing but a group of gangsters operating under the cover of Islam."

The group has nothing to do with Islam, he stressed. "When its members kidnapped the British reporter, they demanded $2 million and a plot of land from the Palestinian Authority," he said. "But when Hamas came to power, the gang knew that they would never get anything out of us."

A clan member told The Jerusalem Post that the five-point agreement with Hamas recognized the Army of Islam as "the weapon of mujahideen [holy warriors] against Jews, Crusaders and apostates."

He said the deal also banned Hamas and the Army of Islam from attacking each other and called for solving future disputes peacefully.

"The Army of Islam belongs to all Muslims, and not a particular clan or faction," the clan member said. "We decided to release the journalist so as not to give an excuse to the Crusaders to dispatch international troops to the Gaza Strip."

Another member of the clan said Mumtaz Dughmush decided to release Johnston after he received assurances from Hamas that he and his relatives would not be killed. "We wanted to avoid a bloodbath in the Gaza Strip," he said. "It's forbidden for a Muslim to shed the blood of his Muslim brother."

Mumtaz, his brother Mu'taz and one of his top aides, Ahmed Mathloum, are all wanted by Hamas for involvement in the killing of Hamas operatives over the past two years.

Mathloum, who is known by his nickname, Khattab al-Makdissi, was detained by Hamas militiamen earlier this week as part of the movement's pressure on the Dughmushes to release Johnston. In response, members of the clan kidnapped 10 Hamas-affiliated college students in various parts of the Gaza Strip.

Ahmed Bahr, a top Hamas official in the Strip, said Mumtaz Dughmush decided to release Johnston when he realized that Hamas was about to use force.

"On Tuesday night, Mumtaz realized that the game was over when our forces surrounded his house in the Sabra neighborhood [of Gaza City]," he said. "He asked for a fatwa from a sheikh stating that foreigners must be protected when visiting Muslims."

Two of the Gaza Strip's top religious leaders, Abdel Hamid Aklouk and Sliman al-Dayeh, each volunteered to issue a fatwa that would pave the way for Johnston's release.