July 2,
2008: There were no rockets or mortar
shells fired into Israel yesterday, so more traffic was allowed into Gaza. That's
the deal, stop the rockets and shells, and vehicle traffic goes into Gaza.
Meanwhile,
up in Lebanon, factional infighting is still preventing the formation of a new
government. The two dozen religious factions are arguing over who should get
what cabinet post. At the same time, Hizbollah continues to intimidate UN
peacekeepers into staying away from Hizbollahs construction of new bunkers and
communications systems in areas the UN force is supposed to be patrolling.
July 1,
2008: As things loosen up in the West
Bank, Israeli and Palestinian police have to watch out for Israelis or tourists
mistakenly driving into Palestinian towns and villages, while looking for one
of the Israeli settlements. Several times a month, Israel or Palestinian police
have to rescue an Israeli or tourist driver from rock throwing Palestinian kids
(who will rob the driver and steal the car as well, if they get a chance).
Signs warn Israelis and tourists to stay out of particularly lawless
Palestinian areas, but the signs are often ignored. The place looks peaceful
until the kids with rocks suddenly show up.
June 30,
2008: Israel agreed to trade a Lebanese
terrorist, jailed (since 1979) for murdering several civilians, in return for
the bodies of two Israeli soldiers kidnapped in 2006 (and setting off the war with
Hizbollah.) Until recently, it was believed the two soldiers were alive.
Islamic radicals rarely keep prisoners alive for long.
June 29,
2008: Pro-Fatah terrorist groups in Gaza
continue their attacks on Israel with rockets and mortars. Hamas has been
arresting these "rogue terrorists" (mainly from Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa
Martyrs Brigades), but these are, after all, secret organizations, usually
hiding out in pro-Fatah neighborhoods. Nevertheless, Israel began letting goods
into Gaza.
June 28,
2008: Israeli is letting fuel into Gaza,
but not anything else, until Hamas cracks down and halts the rocket and mortar attacks
that continue to come out of Gaza. Hamas accuses Fatal of conspiring with
Israel to keep the attacks going, so Israel can retaliate. South of Jerusalem,
police fired on three Palestinian teenagers, killing one. The kids were
throwing firebombs at cars on a highway.
June 27,
2008: Another rocket was fired into
southern Israel from Gaza. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades took credit. Like Islamic
Jihad, this is an outfit allied with
Fatah, which was forced out of power in Gaza, by Hamas, a year ago. Fatah doesn't
want Hamas to succeed in Gaza, even though Israel wants the truce. Al Aqsa
Martyrs Brigades fired the rockets in retaliation of an Israeli attack on Al
Aqsa members in the West Bank. What happens in the West Bank has nothing to do
with the Gaza truce, but the problem is mostly about the continuing feud
between Hamas and Fatah, and very independent minded Palestinian terrorist
groups.
June 25,
2008: Israel closed the border in
retaliation for a rocket fired into southern Israel. Hamas was told it had to
control the terrorist factions in Gaza, or the truce was off. Hamas protested,
but quietly agreed to round up the usual suspects.