Israel approves new West Bank homes - Settlers/Israel/USA/Gaza Deaths
Avida Landau; 10/3/08
Israel has announced plans to build up to 750 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank in a move the Palestinians denounced as another blow to US-brokered peace talks. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved new building in Givat Ze’ev, which, unlike other sites where developments have been announced lately, lies just outside the city boundaries Israel has drawn for Jerusalem. Mr Olmert has said any building beyond the municipal limits require his personal authorisation The peace talks, launched in November with the goal of reaching a statehood agreement before US President George W. Bush leaves office next January, have been stalled.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23347933-12335,00.html
Suddenly home offers children no protection
10/3/08
Safa Abu Seif, 12, was fatally wounded as she stood in an upstairs room of her home in the Gaza City district of Jabaliya 10 days ago. She was one of 27 children identified by United Nations staff among the 107 Palestinians who were killed in five days last week. Another 25 dead, including five women, were identified as unarmed non-combatants. The status of 13 more dead victims could not be determined. At least three of the children were reportedly shot in their homes by Israeli small arms or sniper fire. A Palestinian gunman killed eight Israeli students on Thursday before he was killed himself. An Israeli soldier was also killed that day. Two Israeli soldiers died in action in the early stages of a three-day incursion into Jabaliya, and an Israeli civilian was killed by Palestinian rocket fire on the first day of the surge in violence.
See: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/suddenly-home-offers-children-no-protection/2008/03/09/1204998283707.html