Israel Cuts-Off Water and Power to Palestinians and Has Arrested Palestinian Leaders - Bombed Bridges and Moved Troops In

June 28th 2006

Gilad Shalit

Israel has turned up the pressure on the Palestinians by cutting off their water and power. Israel used their warplanes to knock-out water, power and bridges in an effort to put pressure on militant leaders who kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

It has been reported that the Israeli government has arrested Hamas leaders in an attempt to trade for the captured soldier. The Associated Press reported that Palestinian security officials said that 30 of their lawmakers were detained.

This comes after the Israelis broke a 16 month cease fire by shelling a beach in Gaza killing a family on June 9^th. Nine days later nine more civilians were killed by an Israeli missile strike.

Israel could be provoking Syria as well. According to the AP, Israeli warplanes buzzed the summer home of Syria's president, who Israel blames for harboring hard-line Hamas leaders. Comment on this article at our Forum

On Wednesday the African media outlet, The Mail & Guardian Online, reported that the governing Palestinian Islamist movement, Hamas, has taken a key step towards recognizing Israel after reaching a deal on a crisis-solving plan that implicitly recognizes its arch foe’s right to exist.

The Associated Press reported that early Thursday morning Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered northern Gaza. AP says this is adding a second front to the Israeli action in Gaza when thousands of troops crossed into southern Gaza.