False Pretensions
By,
Miguel A. Sanchez

Giving the amount of confusion in the Middle East, it is important to analyze what is hidden beneath the curtains of mass information. Much of coverage of the growing civil war in Palestine is marginal in the US, but many critics are now coming to grips with the reality of the situation. I speculate that the issue; of the breakup of the Palestinian territories between FATAH and HAMAS, was intentional and not coincidental; as most US diplomats may otherwise say.
It is important to keep in mind that the US and Israel played a strategic bet--and that is, that giving enough supplies and ammunition to FATAH, would FATAH have time to take over the West Bank and imprison any remaining HAMAS representative or loyal sympathizer. Calling out for a new government to be formed in the West Bank and further isolating the Gaza from the rest of Palestine.
It is important to outline intent and false pretensions, as Condoleezza Rice would stipulate that the responsibility of the next president would be to deal with the situation and the growing polarity in the Middle East. As top generals are beginning to crack and admit that the situation has gotten out of control, and that there is no easy way to continue on with this policy.
Public opinion of favorability and acceptance of the US policy towards the Middle East is dwindling. Public support for the US military to aggressively take down the insurgents in Baghdad and across Iraq and to stifle HAMAS is short of any unified acceptance among Americans. But those who have control are those who basically do not care, and rather there is a much larger reason for what is happening.
If news of Russia and its dwindling democracy isn’t new to anyone, then it’s clear that the issue is much more drastic. There is a coming conflict arriving in the East, and the alliances forged; by Russia, China, and Iran, has to do with the future of who has control over oil distributions and production? The US is inheriting a new age, where even the Ottoman Empire could not have foreseen or even dreamed off. Our presence in Middle East is mainly to secure as much influence and territory; mostly through our countless military bases scattered all over the region and our wish to extend our security into Eastern Europe (forcing the Russians to declare that any intent to do so, would they target their nuclear missiles on Western Europe).
It is no coincidence that the lost of unity among the Palestinians was intentional, and indeed it is a precursor for further action against the Gaza Strip. With the lost unity and Gaza in control by HAMAS, Israel now has the reason to invade and secure the Gaza Strip; hence breaking and dismantling the Palestinian territories. Further isolating the democratically elected government from the world and creating the fuel that could ignite the Middle East into armed rebellion.
The issue is Iran and even many analysts are worried that Iran could be the next target. As much of the news coming in of the reports of the growing distrust between the West and East, the potential for a military strike on Iran is far from any unified framework for policy makers to begin drawing maps of targets--though many in the intellectual and political establishment have begun voicing opinions of a renewed offensive against Iran.
But how does this all fit together? What does Iran have to do with the breakup of the Palestinian territories? Mainly preparations for a long term presence in the region by the US, and to secure as much territory for the Israelis to keep Hezbollah under control, and to prevent any backlash by the Palestinians and Lebanese if a renewed policy dictates attacking Iran. Which could fuel an all out defensive initiative against Israel--and for which, Israel must go on the offensive.
One must keep in mind why the US is so frightened of Iran having the capacity to enrich uranium and implement a nuclear weapons program? Strikingly, since that would tip the power away from the Israeli’s--and for which, Iran can act defensively if there is any thought of expanding beyond the giving regions; to solidify control for future fossil fuel production and development. The Russians and the Chinese are so aware of this, that it is no coincidence to anyone who has not followed this closely, that alliances are being forged for the future of global control of the prime market resource. In the future it is almost rational to conclude that Israel and the US are carefully constructing a new map for a long-term change in the East.
The future stakes are high and pretensions are even higher.

Interesting that the article mentions that the critical patients in Gaza hospital need to be moved to better hospitals in Israel.  

I thought that Hamas does not acknowledge the existance of Israel and by the way if it does ieist it should be destroyed.  I suppose they expect the "Jewish" doctors render medical care (some of the best in the world) and then they can kill them latter.

Wow, I am impressed, both by Hamas and NBC for tellign the truth as it is. I always thought the US media only reports what is favorable to the administration and Isreal. But this time they seems to have told the truth.

I hope atleast now the Bush admin and Isreal will let the Gazans live peacefully.

Hamas obviously has been planning to overthrow the PA for a long time.  They have split the Palestinian entity in half, and they can be expected to continue their efforts to gain dominance in the West Bank.  Musolini made the railroads run on time and Hitler organized massive public works, but they were facists nontheless.  Hamas is an extremeist organization that swears to irradicate Israel.  Yet I did not see one word about their hateful agenda, or how it will affect the lives of Gazans in the future.

A lot of people here comment that U.S and Isreal should not help Gaza. Yes absolutely right, that is exactly what the Hamas is asking for. They don't need US/Isreal. They get help from else where.

The trouble with U.S it will neither help 1.5 million people nor let them get help. So all they can do is starve to death. Well they are ready to starve to death, except that they want to kill some people before they die.

As long as the U.S admin does not change its attitude, there will be no end to terrorism.

inside Russia during the cold war everything also looked normal , but was so indeed?
Doesnt this journalist want to go back to Gaza in the future?
doesnt he have a reason to say that things are better than what they are?

A sad commentary, as to how ordinary citizens suffer, where as the powers be watch with no concern to these lives who have not seen happiness for years. When will the realization come? to ease out the trials and tribulations of ordinary Palestinians. Regards..Hamid.  

So, in the great tradition of solidarity, why didn't he ask about the kidnapped BBC journalist? And, why is the British Union of Journalists trying to encourage a boycott of Israel when one of them profession is being held hostage? Oh, I forgot, it's the Middle East where nothing makes sense so Mr.Aspell  just thinks we are useful idiots who will believe anything he says. Pathetic "journalism."

Well Hamas got his way and he might try to show that they can restore order to the people but try to say something against them inside their terretory and they  will cut your head off!

This piece is written by a reporter who makes a living off of access to such sites, but only lives because he does not offend those who control the sites.   In contrast to a free society with freedom of the press, terror states such as Gaza, Syria, Iran threaten and intimidate force reporters to tow the party line.   Any reporting such as this should be recognized as a whitewash submitted in order to protect both the access and the life of the reporter and his colleagues.   Why the parent news organization would publish this as honest journalism is at best a mystery.

What responsibility should Israel have toward these people suffering at Erez? The blog implies that the Israelis are keeping these people waiting with their "plastic spoons."  Everything is fine, except they are waiting on Israel to help them.  The responsibility lies with the Palestinian Government . . .  The people in the tunnel should blame Hamas for spending money and energy on directing traffic instead of helping them.  Oh, and too bad he didn't make his way to NW Gaza, it would have been interesting to report on the normality of Kasams being fired at Israel, again while people wait hungry in the tunnel money is being spent not on food for them, but on terrorism.

So everything is normal in Gaza.  I guess he didn't get anywhere near the Latin Church and Rosary Sisters School that Hamas looted and burned earlier this week.  Or maybe burning and looting churches is acceptable as long as they are Christian churches.

Hamas #1- Damn, winning the election caused us economic hardship to our people.
Hamas #2- Yeah! and now kicking Fatah goverment out won them sympathy and their getting the western worlds backpay and much needed supplies.
Hamas #3- Screw this, and screw my green scarf! I'm headed to the West bank for my fair share!

Is this for real?  "But how did it come down to this, a big battle in which his men crushed Fatah and the Palestinian Authority?"  Is NBC news now in the habit of writing puff PR pieces for Hamas?  And if Gaza is so much safer and crime-free now just why are there Palestinians willing to flee to the evil Israel rather than take their chances in their beloved homeland?

This article is absolute rubbish.

What now? Do you want the journalist to report the opposite of what he witnessed.
What he saw is what you get.
Unless you think he is paid by Hamas not NBC(GE)

I don't understand middle-east fanatics.  Palestine wanted freedom from Israel, and they got it.  I believe Israel pulled out completely over a year ago including some contested settlements?  Yet Hamas continued to attack Israel with rockets?

Palestine now controls their own destiny in theory; but a subset of them seems to only crave power.  They certainly don't seem to have the best interests of the Palastinian people at heart.

Hate and a lust for power seems to be the standard operating practice for these people.

As for the US involvement in this whole mess...forget it.  We have other fish to fry, and nothing we have tried works over there.  There are simply way to many people in power in the Middle-east who understand one thing - violence.

Hamas will always throw a fit if he doesn't get his way now that he got his way you better not say anything that is going to upset him or you are going to be dragged outside infront of the public and get shot in the head.

Well Hamas wont be around for long with it's borders closed like that, and WE shouldnt send any aid to the gaza strip, they wanted  a Hamas governmnet, and now they have one.

No goods because border is sealed? I thought Gaza was located on the sea. What no seaport to bring goods in from the muslim terrorist enablers? Like Saudi, Iran, Syria? And now they want into Israel? Ha Ha! What a piece of non journalism...Fire this guy. My kid could do better.Typical MSM garbage.

Why Tom your not in Gaza, your in Kansas! Who pays you for this nonsense NBC or Hamas?

What do you expect.  Israel has stomped on these people for decades, has forced them to live in poverty, distress and misery.  It's no wonder they are so angry.  The problem is Israel.  America should NEVER have helped them.

"Josh" from Hershey.  Are you so ashamed of yourself you have to adopt an American name for posting here?  Your broken english gives you away.  Although I certainly understand - if I had to lie as much as you to cover up for my shameful culture I would certainly not want anyone to know who I was either.

Incidentally, what does the US Govt have to do with Pakistani terrorism against Hindus in India?  Mass murder by Arab militias against native African animists in Sudan?  The execution of Buddhists in Thailand by Muslim separatists?  

If only half the people in this room have been to palestine/israel instead of speaking out of their ass because most of their knowledge about this situation in the middle east comes from watching a zionist like Wolf Blitzer(or so many other bastards), then i'd actually have to spend my time giving you the truth. Reality is, americans are stubborn when it comes to the news. Manipulation  is so sad to see among innocence and it disgusts me that united states freedom turned into a new world order. Maybe one day God will sort us out and take us all and relieve us from all this calamity and chaos...

Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Even if they were, it is the perfect mechanism to use to gain support around the globe. They do not hate americans. They hate zionists. They do not hate the jews. They hate zionists. They do not want funding from anyone, they want freedom and a home that's not potential for an israeli occupation...That's what they want. Over 50 years they have been tortured, I think they are way past forgiveness.

Israeli: "My father tells me you arabs are evil terrorists"
Palestinian: "My Father tells me nothing... He was murdered by yours"

I'm interested to see how George Bush and global warming are responsible for all this.

Anybody notice how quickly Palestinians rush to get into Israel for safety when their own people are shooting at them?  This whole Palestinian thing that the rest of the Muslim world holds up as the nexis of their hatred of Israel is the "inconvenient truth."  99% of Muslims haven't a clue what an Israeli is or looks like.  Their hatred is as irrational as they are themselves.  But, of course, the Fatah v. Hamas battles are all caused by Israel and the United States.  Freakin' people... their boarders should be sealed and let em go at each other.  Imagine the outrage if American soldiers threw someone off a roof in Iraq or if Israeli soldiers threw a Palestinian Hamas fighter off the roof!  But if they do it everyone shrugs and figures that's what they do.  Well, they're right.  That's what they do, then we wonder that the hell kind of civilization we're dealing with over there!

So Gaza is just going to be like Iraq where by there will be some sucidebomers as the Fatah will be trying to retaliate

As I mentioned on Brian William's Blog, I commend you for going.  It is all to easy of Americans to get a dark and gloomy image in their head of 'terrorists' with nothing but destruction on their mind but as you pointed out last night, Gaza is a city attempting to go about life the best it can like all other people.  The bush administration had decidedly overused the word terrorists to include anyone it does not like which is why we invaded Iran falsely.  What I think Jimmy Carter sees here are melitia groups fighting opression and I was very sorry NBC chose not to air what he said.  Hamas was the democratically elected leaders of that country and Carter accused the US of actually trying to cause the very divisions we now see.  

YOU KNOW THOSE WHO FORGET HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT LAST TIME I CHECKED IF HAMAS HAD THERE WAY THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER JEWISH HOLOCOST GAS CHAMBERS AND ALL OR ARE WE NOT SUPPOSED TO MENTION THAT.  TRY TO PAINT A ROSY PICTURE OF THE WORLD AND IGNORE REALITY.

Small detail left out in this somewhat naive account. The Palestinians at the border are not dying to get into Israel. All they want is to be able to go to the other part of Palestine-The West Bank. Israel signed the Agreement on Movement and Access which recognized the territorial contiguity of these two parts of Palestine.and is now reneging (with the blessing of the US). How long will the hoodwinked American people support their governments backing of this rogue State of Israel as it rides roughshod over the most elementary human behaviour?

The Hamas have been executing innocent Christians as well. But that does not seem as important as their nice uniforms and directing traffic!

Josh in Hershey--Breath deeply, Dude... these people need no excuse to kill each other.  If the United States and Israel (or the rest of western civilization) didn't exist, in your most remote dreams do you think there would be peace in the Middle East?  We are nothing but an excuse for them to fight.  Their culture has not evolved past the level of self-interest.  Anyone outside of their immediate pleasure is worthless and worthy of death.  If you think I'm kidding, go live there a while.

I can't speak for anyone else...but I'm not at all surprised by this.  The Palestinians voted in a terrorist organization which has dedicated its existence to the complete destruction of Israel...and that's exactly what they got; thereby showing the true intentions and character of the Palestinian people.  For the innocents caught in the middle of this recent fray...I truly feel for you, but if you did not agree with Hamas to begin with then you should have left Palestine as soon as they were elected.  Everyone knew what was coming!
Time and time again Israel has shown her patience and hope for peace, while Palestine has shown nothing but contempt and violence.  "Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword", and, "You shall reap what you sow." (The Word of God).  I have no sympathy left for Palestine.  I still hope for peace...a REAL peace.

Did Tom Aspell ask the happy business man or the civilians in the taxi how throwing fellow Palestinians off of roof tops or shooting them in the street will lead to an improved economy?  Did he ask Muhammed Zahar what long range plans Hammas has to improve medical services, create educational opportunities or improve relationships with Israel?
I was amazed that an American news correspondent from a credible agency would allow himself to write such a superficial article.

Don't attack the messenger. The reporter simply reported what he observed. That doesn't necessarily mean Hamas is now the most benevolent political entity internally and to its neighbors like Israel, it merely means, as someone suggested here before me, they're "making the trains run on time". By the way, ever notice how people who don't like Israel spell it WRONG by switching the "AE" to "EA"? Is that accidental or intentionally malevolent?

I think it's really funny how people sitting in the comfort of their living rooms half a world away feel that they are competent to judge a journalist who is in one of the most dangerous places on the planet.

Israel has the right to control its borders just like any other country. Israel is not responsible for the health or medical treatment for any non-Israeli citizen. Why should any Palestinian be let in, or taken to an Israeli hospital? It will get no thanks from any Muslim or European country. The world will reward israel with bombs, bullets, and boycots.

We should have given Israel a piece of the vast land in the US if we wanted to help them so much.  Too bad we have put a nation in a land that was already taken.  Turning away to the death and destruction we as "westerners" have inflicted on the Palestinians will go down as one of the worst things we have done.

Sidney from Houston says: "Hamas are terrorists just as the Americans were when they fought for freedom against the British."

Sorry, Sidney, but when the Continental Army defeated the British, they didn't run all over the States and kill anyone who supported The King of England.

Neither did they send suicide bombers to England and murder innocent English women and children.

The saying "one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist" is bullcrap. Nelson Mandella, Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr... they never killed anyone, and still achieved their goals of freedom.

Yassir Arafat and the PLO taught the Palestinians the Ways of War, and the targeting of the innocent. Their children learned their lessons well. Now they kill each other.

76% of the Palestinians voted Hamas into power. Now they have to live with their dreadful decision.

Indeed I supprot Isreal's right to exist I do however feel sorry for the plight of the Palistinians in as much as their leadership is corrupted and narrow minded.  They defile and cause the suffering of their own people and then uniqely blame it on Isreal.  What makes me laugh (as though anything were laughable here) is that right here in our own country good old USA there are those that actually support the idea that Isreal is guilty.  Time to stand back, stop blaming and let it play out, let the chips fall where they may.  There is no way anyone Euoropean, North - Soth American or Asian that will change the course they as we are (so-called) infidels (in the view of the mid eastern zealots).  It's just so sad that so many have to suffer.

You are morons!!! Why don't you stay in Gaza and enjoy the hospitality of Hamas! What looks like "normal" to you means "death to any Israeli. They bomb and fire missles into Israel and than they want to dump their injured fighters into Israel's health care sytem to get them well so they coud go back to Gaza and fire more rockets into Israel Israel or become well enough to go on as suiside bombers killing more Israelis!!!

I don’t know where most people get there information. I try to read neutral sources and understand better the situation.

HAMAS honored a sees fire with Israel YEARS before it got DEMOCRATICALLY elected.

Sins HAMAS got elected Israel and FATA kept provoking HAMAS to do something bad. Surprisingly, HAMAS remained relatively rational and did not escalate the provocations to much up utile now.

HAMAS tried to share power with FATA but FATA wanted the upper hand of the shared government. FATA is not the elected government and like any other country it is normal that the elected government has the upper hand.

I’m not pro HAMAS, pro FATA or pro Israel but analysing the last few years and the present, I think HAMAS has allot legitimacy and good intentions when it is not provoked.

It is just bad that HAMAS dos not give some recognition to Israel. But if Israel returned to its 1948 borders then HAMAS would have no choice but to fully recognise Israel and normalize relations because these borders are recognized by 99.9% of the world’s countries.

This is the worst article I've ever read. How can you possibly be sympathetic to these people? They are terrorists or supporters of terrorists and they don't deserve any mention at all. They are a made up nation whose only goal is to destroy our only real ally in the region, Israel. Wake up and realize that they hate everything about Western World and they would destroy us and everything we stand for at the very first chance they get. They don't deserve our pity and journalists like you are traitors to our country.

It's all too simple and sad.  The God of Abraham sent his minions on regular missions to commit genocide against anyone who was different in any way.  He still is.  When will Christaians, Jews and Muslims recognize the fundamental flaw in their God which prevents peace - ever.  Either recognize that you pray to a war criminal and accept the violence or find another outlet for your spiritual longings.  Your Bible/Koran/Tora teaches you to convert or destroy and there is no peace anywhere on that road.

Good job Tom Aspell!!
I am sirious. Just description of situation in Gaza, that's it, no comments, no opinions. The rest will do commentators, or Tom Aspell by himself in a different paper.
Good job!

Every totalitarian regime starts with "order" and powerful police. To create such a picture, the authors did not need to visit the Gaza strip at all. There is almost no information in their "news".

Many of you would agree with me that This is all about sin and disobedience to The Almighty God. This is nothing new and it is Islam's fruit-nothing but hatred and murder and strife. Moslems and other man-made religions's followers(not to single out Islam alone, all the rest included-except Bible believing, born from above Christians who believe that Christ alone payed for their sins on the cross with His blood), those who do not came to God thru His Son The Savior of mankind ( "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man come to The Father(GOD) but by me"- Jesus Said.)will have no peace, no joy on earth and no place in heaven someday. God judged the earth by the flood-only 8 soules were saved, this time around it will be by fire. So, we all need to examine our stance from what matters the most, what is my/your life all about, is your faith and trust in The Savior? I hope so! Trust Him, or the situation in Gaza would seem like a trip to the park, when campared with God's wrath , when it comes."Those that were not written in the book of life were cast in the lake of fire". George

"Hamas are terrorists just as the Americans were when they fought for freedom against the British, or as the South Africans fought against the white rulers, or as the slaves fought for freedom from their American slave owners, or as as any British colony fought for their FREEDOM against a ruler who brought nothing but hardships and death."

I'm sorry, that's like comparing apples to light bulbs.  

This is another example of how ordinary people don't know what is going on in their own country.  We voted Bush preseident (kind of) and look where we are now.  We have to deal with it anad have no help.  The Gazans voted Hamas in power, let them deal with their own ignorant mistake.

Wow - reading these comments is like being at a KKK meeting!
Here's what really happened...
Short version….
1. Palestinians elect a government.
2. American and Israeli backed groups take over the government.

Long version…..
In January ’06, the Palestinians voted – in both the West Bank and Gaza – Hamas as their government. The general view is that they were not voting for an Islamic ‘Hamastan’ but for change from Fatah rule, who had become more and more corrupt and, well, useless over the decades.
The response from the ‘international community’ was amazing. Shock. Awe. How could the Palestinians vote for a bunch of ‘terrorists’? This ignored the fact that Hamas had been on ceasefire for some time at this stage. So it was decided that the people of Palestine would be punished for their choice. Reasons had to be found to camouflage the attack on Palestinian democracy. Four are generally given:

1. Hamas does not recognise the right of Israel to exist.
A particularly insidious half truth. Firstly, Hamas made several noises, beginning shortly after its election, about recognising Israel in some format. Secondly, Israel has never defined her borders. How can you recognise a state that won’t tell you where it ends?

Hamas has not renounced violence.
True – technically. However, at the time of election it had been on ceasefire for several months, despite continual Israeli provocation. Its ceasefire has largely held since then, save for a few occasions where they have responded to intense Israeli aggression. The ineffectual and generally injury-free rocket attacks across the border are usually claimed by Islamic Jihad IIRC, as have the few suicide bombers (2? 3?) in the last few years. While I’m sure there is some overlap in membership, Hamas is not Islamic Jihad.

Hamas refuses to abide by previous peace agreements.
The Oslo accords are widely recognised by all sides as dead in the water. This would explain the fact that Israel refuses to abide by them either.

Hamas is committed to the destruction of Israel.
True – again technically. Their constitution calls for Israel’s destruction. So what? As mentioned, they have talked peace (only to be rebuffed). The best comparison I can think of is Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish constitution. Remember them? They claimed Northern Ireland for the Republic. But it was a poise – we didn’t really mean it. And we got rid of them as part of the peace process. Is it inconceivable that Hamas would do the same?

So using these excuses, the Palestinians were squeezed, particularly in Gaza. The Israelis refused to pass on tax revenues owed to the Palestinian government and ‘the West’ cut off aid and contacts. Due to decades of Fatah rule, the majority of local government employees were allied to the movement. Hamas now had no money to pay them. They could not buy food for their families. And so the ‘divide and rule’ tactic began…

Israel implemented an ever tightening blockade on Gaza, blocking food and medicine. They increased their attacks on ‘militants’ (i.e. Hamas members), civilians and civilian infrastructure (which had been ongoing all along), on the pretext of responding to rocket attacks. Around this time (a year or so ago) NGOs began warning of a ‘humanitarian crisis’ in Gaza – it’s only gotten worse since. Then, in August, Israel launched pretty much all out war on the people of Gaza (naturally in the guise of responding to attacks). They blew up the electricity generation station, which is still not repaired leading to only sporadic power in Gaza. They kidnapped several democratically elected Hamas parliament members. All along, Israel and the West refused to talk to Hamas (the legitimate government of the Palestinians, lest we forget).

And then, over a period, the issue faded from the headlines. The Palestinians, especially in Gaza, were suffering more and more. Nobody really wanted to know. Their parliament couldn’t rule effectively as a quorum was difficult to establish due to the number of Hamas deputies in Israeli jails. Fatah government employees became more and more resentful, blaming Hamas for their hardship. The US and Israel continue to ignore Hamas, while making noises in support of the ineffectual Abbas of Fatah. The Israelis turn a blind eye while the Saudis start to arm Fatah. The Americans arm and fund Fatah themselves. Emboldened, Fatah members begin to cause trouble in Gaza. It is not a stretch of the imagination to imply that the Americans and Israelis told Fatah that they would recognise them as the Palestinian government if they dethroned Hamas. This bubbles on for months, occasionally boiling over into bloodshed.

This brings us to last week - Hamas moves against Fatah, which is now essentially a tool of the US and Israel. They disrupt Fatah’s power in Gaza. This has been portrayed in the media as Hamas ‘taking over’ - rather bizarrely, as they were the leading government party anyway. Events proceed quickly. Abbas fires the parliament, despite apparently not actually having the power to do so. He installs a new Quisling government, despite apparently not actually having the power to do so. This is led by a man whose list got 2.4% in the elections – hardly a popular mandate. The PDs got roughly that percentage in our recent elections and got two seats – Salam Fayyad gets to be the boss! Also high up in the new ‘government’ is Mohammed Dahlan, the man widely credited with beginning the cycle of violence in Gaza. The US, the EU and Israel immediately recognize the new, non-elected, government (bear in mind that Hamas won the elections in the West Bank too). Embargoes are lifted; the Israelis promise to return some of the stolen tax revenues. The coup is complete…

That this has been portrayed as simple Palestinian ‘infighting’ is shameful, but unsurprising in that it relies upon the Western notion of ‘bloody Arabs’ fighting anyone they can. That, with a few exceptions, no one in the Western media has mentioned ‘coup’ is also unsurprising. It probably won’t be long now before Israel launches an attack to crush Gaza – according to the Sunday Times it’s already planned. A rocket or bomb will be used as the excuse – whether it’s initiated by Hamas, Islamic Jihad or the Israelis themselves (let’s face it, they’ve got ‘form’ in this regard) won’t really matter; it’ll be portrayed as ‘poor Israel’ defending herself.

I find the contrast between the street and the hospital quite striking; also with regards to the looming food shortage minus the fruits and vegetables.  These contrasts seem very much the "quiet before the storm."  Also,the fact that teenage boys are directing the traffic and laying waste in the hospitals suggest Hamas recruits and exploits youths but I have not heard of any study depicting human rights violation by the Hamas (all fair in love and war?).  Lastly, I guess one can't be too blunt if he/she wants to go back into Gaza in the near future.

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