Southern Israelis pessimistic on latest cease-fire
(JNS.org) Leaders and residents of southern Israel are not optimistic about the newly reached cease-fire deal with Hamas and have harsh criticism for the Jewish state’s Operation Protective Edge, believing that it did not contribute to longterm security in their communities.
Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni said, “Every concession to Hamas is giving in to terrorism.”
“The residents of Israel and of the south wanted to see [Hamas] defeated in this campaign, but that apparently will not happen,” he said, according to Israel Hayom. “We wanted to see Hamas on its knees, begging for its life, and what we are actually seeing is Israel running to the negotiating table at every opportunity presented to it.”
Sdot Negev Regional Council head Tamir Idan was similarly upset. “Silently agreeing to a situation whereby [terrorists’ can shoot as much as they want until a cease-fire is reached is extremely dangerous. … We demand that the Israeli government and the Israel Defense Forces honor their commitment and respond to every act of fire with great strength,” Idan said.
Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin said the cease-fire “will simply turn into fire.”
“These cease-fires are like a movie played on repeat gain, and again and again, and it never stops,” said Eshkol region resident Yehezkel Alon.
‘Economic Iron Dome’ aid plan slated for southern Israel
(JNS.org) In what Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel called “an economic Iron Dome for residents of the Gaza periphery,” an aid package for southern Israel is expected to be approved by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday.
The government is set to invest hundreds of millions of shekels in Gaza border-area communities, including plans for infrastructure development, housing subsidies, paving new roads, and incentives to encourage young people and immigrants to move to the area.
A draft of the plan was distributed this week to local council heads in southern Israel ahead of next week’s cabinet vote, Israel Hayom reported. The plan is estimated to cost some NIS 650 million ($182 million) and scheduled to be invested in Gaza border-area communities and the city of Sderot over the next three years. The plan also fosters plans for employment and industry in the region, as well as authorizing communities to expand to 500 families each.
In addition, the aid package earmarks funds to construct and renovate public buildings, and NIS 90 million ($25 million) to build sports courts and public leisure spaces.
Hamas holds ‘victory’ celebrations after cease-fire
(JNS.org) Hamas leaders emerged from their underground bunkers on Tuesday evening after some 50 days in hiding to celebrate what they called a victory over Israel with Gaza’s residents.
“We destroyed Israel’s power of deterrence—we shattered the myth of the invincible army,” said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri at a press conference held outside Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, where senior Hamas officials had been hiding underground during the conflict, according to Israel Hayom.
Abu Zuhri said residents of Israel’s Gaza border-area communities “can return to their homes because that is what Hamas decided.”
Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar was among the officials who left the bunkers following the cease-fire agreement, and joined Gazans in their celebrations, making the victory sign with his hands.
“We defeated the Zionists,” he said. “Gaza will get a seaport and an airport and the blockade will be lifted completely.”
Israel and Hamas agree to new Egypt-brokered cease-fire
(JNS.org) Israel and Hamas have agreed to a new Egypt-brokered cease-fire that began at 7 p.m. local time, marking the 12th attempted truce during the 50-day Gaza conflict.
Rockets continued to be launched and warning sirens continued to sound in Israel after the cease-fire went into effect. Just before the cease-fire, an Israeli man was killed by mortar fire from Gaza.
The latest cease-fire—which is not limited in time, unlike a number of failed 24-hour and 72-hour cease-fire deals initiated during Operation Protective Edge—reportedly stipulates that Israel will allow supervised entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. In one month, both sides will return to negotiations over the demilitarization of Gaza, the loosening of the blockade on Gaza, the transfer of money to pay for Hamas salaries, and more.
The general parameters of the cease-fire, according to reports, are that Israel will allow humanitarian aid—under supervision—into Gaza to begin rebuilding, and that within a month both sides will raise other issues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed the Israeli security cabinet about the agreement, but made the decision to agree to the deal without consulting the cabinet for a vote.
Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk posted on social media that the agreement has been reached, “culminating in the resilience of our people and the victory of our resistance,” reported the Jerusalem Post.
The U.S. State Department welcomed the news of the cease-fire and expressed strong “support” for the agreement. But Knesset member and former deputy defense minister Danny Danon (Likud) said in a statement that “despite the heavy price,” Israel “did not defeat Hamas.”
Israel should have sent a message “to the entire Middle East, including Hezbollah, ISIS, and Iran, that you don’t mess with Israel,” said Danon.
“I’m afraid that in this matter we did not do enough… The policy of restraint and hesitancy hampered Israel’s deterrent capability. The next round [of violence] is just a matter of time,” he said, Israel National News reported.
2 Israeli men die of wounds from mortar fire near Gaza border
(JNS.org) Two Israeli men died of wounds they sustained from a mortar attack on the Eshkol Regional Council near the Gaza border.
According to Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency medical services, four people were injured in the mortar attack; the second casualty succumbed to his wounds at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba on Tuesday night. Earlier on Tuesday, a rocket slammed into a residential neighborhood in Ashkelon, where 40 people were treated for light wounds and shock, MDA said.
Another rocket salvo launched Tuesday afternoon caused shrapnel to fall in the courtyard of a kindergarten in Ashdod.
66th Emmys produce several Jewish winners
(JNS.org) Several Jewish entertainers took home honors at the television industry’s 66th Emmy Awards, held Monday at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Comedian Sarah Silverman won in the Best Writing category for her HBO comedy special “Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles.” Silverman thanked “my Jews at CAA,” referring to her talent agency, as she accepted her award barefoot on stage.
Actress Julianna Margulies won an Emmy for her role as Alicia Florrick on CBS’s “The Good Wife.” The HBO movie The Normal Heart, based on the 1985 play by Jewish writer and AIDS activist Larry Kramer, won for Outstanding TV Movie.
Jewish comedian Billy Crystal gave a tribute during the awards to Robin Williams, who died earlier this month.
*
Articles from JNS.org appear on San Diego Jewish World through the generosity of Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman