Word: gaza
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...part of an operation aimed at freeing an Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, 19, who was abducted by Palestinian militants during a daring cross-border raid Sunday morning, the air force has blown up three bridges, cutting Gaza's main roads and limiting mobility between the north and south...
...moment, the troops are holding observatory positions just inside the border, on the site of an abandoned airport about a mile from the southern town of Rafah. It is there that military intelligence believes Shalit is being held. Palestinian gunmen had taken up positions throughout Gaza, but as of yet, neither side has initiated a confrontation, suggesting that there are some non-military avenues to resolution...
...What's happened so far has fallen short of the feared all-out offensive in Gaza. But Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert proclaimed that "extreme action" is possible, despite calls from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to show restraint and give diplomacy more time.In an interview with the BBC, Saeb Erekat, a leading Palestinian political figure, denounced the steps taken thus far, in particular the strike on the power station, as a form of collective punishment that is "adding fuel to the fire." For his part, President Abbas said in a statement Wednesday that "the president considers the aggression...
...Talks could still be ongoing, as many undoubtedly are praying for. But Israel is clearly preparing for action if they fail and trying to prevent the militants holding Shalit from moving him to another part of Gaza or outside the territory. On Wednesday, while the sonic booms continued, the Israeli Defense Forces began shelling Northern Gaza - a measure taken, officials said, to halt Qassam rocket fire from the area into Israel - and seemed poised to cross into the territory. The Israeli Air Force also buzzed the summer home of Syria's president, a brazen, none-too-subtle message conveying Israel...
...possible scenario is that one night, with the lights out and roads down, there could be an opportunity to stage a commando raid of some sort on a suspected hideout, if one can be located. Still, nothing much is clear right now, aside from the threat looming over Gaza - and the already fragile state of Israeli-Palestinian relations...