Israeli Strikes on Gaza kill 3 Palestinians

GAZA CITY: Israeli airstrikes against targets in Gaza killed three men early Friday in a smuggling tunnel along the Gaza-Egypt border.
The Israeli strikes came in retaliation for a rocket and mortar barrage launched into Israel on Thursday.

The bodies of two men killed when missiles hit a tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border have reached the morgue at nearby Rafah Hospital, according to Dr. Salam Abu Salem. A news cameraman saw a third body being removed later Friday from the same tunnel.

Dozens of Palestinians have died in collapses and strikes against the tunnels, which are used to bring everything from cigarettes and chocolate to livestock and weapons into the blockaded territory. Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade to weaken Gaza’s rulers, the Islamic movement of Hamas, who seized power there in 2007.

Israel’s military said that in addition to the smuggling tunnels its aircraft also targeted an alleged weapons manufacturing facility and another tunnel meant to allow militants to sneak into Israel for an attack.

In a statement, the military said Israel “will not tolerate the firing of rockets by terrorist organizations at Israel and will continue to respond against any attempt to disrupt the calm in Israel’s southern communities.”

Israel has developed an anti-rocket system, dubbed Iron Dome, which is slated to be deployed along the Gaza border later this year and could neutralize the crude rockets that have become the Gaza militants’ most effective weapon. Egypt has also begun building an anti-tunnel barrier along its border with Gaza, potentially ending Hamas’ supply of cash and weapons.

Together, the two moves by Gaza’s neighbors could soon change the strategic equation in and around the territory.

Violence in Gaza has dropped but not ceased since Israel’s devastating offensive in the territory a year ago, aimed at halting years of rocket fire at Israeli towns and cities nearby.

On Thursday, the U.N. said Israel had agreed in principle to pay the organization around $10 million for damage caused to U.N. buildings by Israeli forces during the fighting. An Israeli official said an agreement on such a payment was close but had not been finalized.

---

Israeli Strikes on Gaza kill 3 Palestinians was first posted on January 8, 2010 at 8:23 pm.

Nation to celebrate Eid with religious fervour

Lahore, Pakistan : – Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated throughout the country, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday with great religious fervour and festivity, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan.

Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal Al-Mukarram and is one of the greatest Islamic festivals. The faithful will wear clean clothes and offer Eid prayers at mosques, ‘Eidgahs’ and open places across the country.

On the occasion, special prayers would be offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the ‘Ummah’, solution of their problems and liberation of Muslim territories, including occupied Kashmir.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani have congratulated the nation on the auspicious occasion of Eid.

In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the ‘Eid’ congregations would be held at more than 300 places.

In Islamabad, the biggest congregation would be held at the grand Faisal Mosque at 9:00 AM, where the high-ups of the government will also offer Eid prayers. In Rawalpindi, the biggest Eid congregation would be held at the historic Liaquat Bagh at 9:45 AM.

Following the Eid prayers, Muslims will spend their time feasting with family and friends and feeding those who are less fortunate. Sweets and other special dishes would be prepared for serving the guests. People will also exchange gifts on the occasion.

The government has declared Eid holidays from September 21 to 23 and paid advanced salaries to employees for enabling them to meet their Eid expenses.

On this occasion, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited has also offered a special package on Eid days to encourage people to exchange Eid greetings with their near and dear ones.

The Radio and Television channels have chalked out a series of special programmes on the occasion of Eid while newspapers will publish special supplements, highlighting the significance of the day.

---

Nation to celebrate Eid with religious fervour was first posted on September 21, 2009 at 7:35 am.
©2009 “News Trends“.

Israeli troops kill Palestinians

Israeli troops kill Palestinians, HELD AL-QUDS: A Palestinian Health Ministry official says Israeli forces have killed two Palestinian militants and wounded three in an incident along the Gaza border.

Dr. Moaiya Hassanain said the men were hit by tank fire.

The Israeli military said a border patrol fired at a group of Palestinians seen planting a bomb at the Gaza border fence Sunday. It did not elaborate.

The militant Islamic Hamas said one of its fighters was among the dead, identifying him as Abed Hafiz al-Silawi, 21.

While the smaller left wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine identified the other as 21-year-old Mahmoud Ahmed Naseer in a separate statement.

Joint operations by the two groups are rare, but not unheard of.

---

Israeli troops kill Palestinians was first posted on September 21, 2009 at 7:38 am.
©2009 “News Trends“.