Egypt Opens Gaza Border as New Ship Tests Israeli Blockade

[MNeagle]

JERUSALEM — Pro-Palestinian activists said they would test Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip with another ship, and Egypt opened a crossing into the Palestinian territory after at least nine activists died when Israeli commandos boarded a flotilla headed to Gaza a day earlier.

Egypt, which has enforced the blockade with Israel since Hamas militants seized control of Gaza three years ago, said it was opening the border for several days to allow aid into the area, the Associated Press reported.

The governor of Egyptian's northern Sinai district, Murad Muwafi, said it was a humanitarian gesture meant to "alleviate the suffering of our Palestinian brothers after the Israeli attack."

Monday's botched raid plunged Israel into a diplomatic crisis that could obstruct action on the most pressing issues in the Mideast, from U.S.-backed peace talks to sanctions against Iran.



more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704875604575280230648120058.html?m od=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories

[Ponce]

The state of Israel won't be around for much longer......they shot themselves on the foot and 95% of the world is now against them......and the 5% that are still with them?..........who else, the Americanos >:( by way of those who are really in power in the government.

First post of the day............good morning to one and all.

[MNeagle]

Israeli Military Kills 5 Palestinians in Gaza Strip Clashes

June 1 (Bloomberg) -- Israeli forces killed two Palestinians who tried to infiltrate from the Gaza Strip into Israel and another three who attempted to fire a rocket.

Israeli aircraft bombed the northern Gaza Strip today, an army official said speaking on condition of anonymity. The attack killed three Palestinians, according to Mo’aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency services in Gaza.

The Popular Resistance Committees, a militant group, said three of its members were hit by an Israeli air-to-ground missile as they were trying to launch a rocket, a spokesman for the group who goes by the name Abu Mujahed said in a telephone interview.

The army said that the two Palestinians killed trying to infiltrate Israel from Gaza were armed. The Palestinians managed to breach a southeastern border fence and get to an area near the communities of Kissufim, Ein Hashlosha and Nirim, the army said in an e-mailed statement.

“The soldiers on the scene exchanged fire” with the Palestinians, “during which both were killed,” the army statement said.

The incidents came a day after Israeli forces intercepted six boats bringing humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza and clashed with pro-Palestinian activists on board, leaving nine dead.

Gaza is surrounded by camera-monitored fencing on its borders with Israel and Egypt and Israel maintains a sea blockade on its Mediterranean coast.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aN3SS1QMQHvM&pos=8