Israel winding down Gaza "cleansing"

[Bob Of Burleson]

Israel rejects talks as it signals end to Gaza attacks
Negotiations rebuffed amid signs that Israel may unilaterally declare end to conflict

Harriet Sherwood in Jerusalem,
Jason Burke in Gaza City and Daniel Boffey
The Observer

Israel has rebuffed attempts to negotiate an end to the Gaza conflict amid signs that it may be moving towards unilaterally declaring a halt to fighting without an agreement that would involve concessions to Hamas.

The decision to spurn fresh talks in Cairo aimed at forging a ceasefire deal came as the Israeli army indicated that its ground operation in the north of Gaza was winding down. Military and political sources said the goal of "neutralising" cross-border tunnels was on the verge of being achieved.

Although heavy fighting continued around the southern towns of Rafah and Khan Younis, Saturday's developments suggested Israel may have turned its back on a negotiated settlement to the 26-day conflict.

A Palestinian delegation, including Hamas representatives, was expected to arrive in the Egyptian capital on Saturday night for talks aimed at forging another truce. But an Israeli cabinet minister, Yuval Steinitz, said in a television interview that Israel would not be sending a team.

"We are currently not sending any representative to Cairo," he said, saying Hamas had repeatedly violated ceasefire deals. "That leads us to the conclusion that with this organisation there is no point in speaking about an agreement or a ceasefire because we have tried it too many times."

In an address on Israeli television on Saturday night, prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Hamas it would pay "an intolerable price" if it continued to fire rockets. He added that, once demolition of the tunnels was complete, "the military will prepare for continuing action in according to our security needs and only according to our security needs". Officials interpreted that as meaning Israel would adopt an approach of "quiet in return for quiet".

Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces told 70,000 residents of Beit Lahiya that they could return to their homes from 2pm on Saturday, while warning them of possible booby traps laid by Hamas. "The residents are advised to beware of explosive devices Hamas has spread across the area," the IDF said in a statement. "The army has dealt with tunnels and launching pads and has cleaned the area, apart from booby traps," a source said.

The IDF indicated it was close to completing its mission to destroy cross-border tunnels dug by militant groups for the purpose of launching attacks inside Israel. It said four tunnels had been destroyed. A source told Haaretz that the mission could be complete within 48 hours and Israeli TV reported some troops being withdrawn from Gaza.

Israel renewed its intensive bombardment of Gaza following Friday's dramatic breakdown after less than two hours of a ceasefire brokered by the US and the UN. The IDF said that it had hit more than 200 targets in 24 hours of resumed activity, including the Hamas-affiliated Islamic University in Gaza City.

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[GFB]

Winding down?

..bummer.

[Allen]

Winding down?

..bummer.

+1

[ann jusko]

AGAIN! If Hamas stops bombing Israel, Israel will stop bombing Gaza. How much simpler can it be? Gaza "cleansing" my ***! Every single "cease fire" has been broken by Hamas. I want Israel to demolish each and every tunnel. Hamas' WANTS many casualties for propaganda purposes. The USA has gone insane....demonstrations against Israel? How sad that our population is falling for the propaganda. Hamas is a terrorist organization, even the son of Hamas' leader has condemned Hamas over and over. I think he knows what he's talking about.

[BigTex]

The compassionate left has done an excellent job of shaming Americans for thinking ill of islamic eastern terrorist groups.

[BigTex]

The compassionate left has done an excellent job of shaming Americans for thinking ill of islamic eastern terrorist groups.

Let's try that again.

The compassionate left has done an excellent job of shaming some Americans for thinking ill of islamic terrorist groups.

[Bob Of Burleson]

The only good terrorist is ACHMED.

[Bob Of Burleson]

ACHMED, PART 2

[Bob Of Burleson]

Israel withdraws most troops from Gaza

By KARIN LAUB and JOSEF FEDERMAN

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel withdrew most of its ground troops from the Gaza Strip on Sunday in an apparent winding down of the nearly monthlong operation against Hamas that has left more than 1,800 Palestinians and more than 60 Israelis dead.

Even as Israel said it was close to completing its mission, heavy fighting raged in parts of Gaza, with at least 10 people killed in what U.N. and Palestinian officials said was an Israeli airstrike near a U.N. shelter. The United States lashed out at Israel, saying it was "appalled" by the "disgraceful" attack.

And with Hamas officials vowing to continue their fight, it remained uncertain whether Israel could unilaterally end the war.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza on July 8 in response to weeks of heavy rocket fire, carrying out hundreds of airstrikes across the crowded seaside territory. It then sent in ground forces July 17 in what it said was a mission to destroy the tunnels used by Hamas to carry out attacks.

Hamas has fired more than 3,000 rockets into Israel during what has turned into the bloodiest round of fighting ever between the two enemies.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman, confirmed the bulk of ground troops had been pulled out of Gaza after the military concluded it had destroyed most of the tunnel network.
Airstrike Hits UN School in Gaza Play Video
Airstrike Hits UN School in Gaza

He said Israel had detected some 30 tunnels that were dug along the border for what he called a "synchronized attack" on Israel.

"We've caused substantial damage to this network to an extent where we've basically taken this huge threat and made it minimal," he said. The army had thousands of troops in Gaza at the height of the operation.

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[planosteve]

If Israel knows where there are tunnels why don't they just plug the end where it comes out in Israel? Problem solved.

[Red Oak]

If Israel knows where there are tunnels why don't they just plug the end where it comes out in Israel? Problem solved.

Because the Pallie Scum would just dig the Israel terminus in another direction.

[planosteve]

If Israel knows where there are tunnels why don't they just plug the end where it comes out in Israel? Problem solved.

Because the Pallie Scum would just dig the Israel terminus in another direction.

But, that takes time, months probably.
Most tunnels exist to supply vital items to Gaza which the Isralies prohibit.

[Red Oak]

Yes the vital rockets and munitions.

[ann jusko]

And there we have the "compassionate" left's response.

[BigTex]

Why hasn't the president just invited everybody over for beers on the South Lawn?

[kent]

There's only one exit to the tunnels.