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Assault Kills Top Hamas Leader

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ASSIST News Service (ANS) –
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Friday, January 16, 2009

Assault Kills Top Hamas Leader

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem Provides Assistance

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

GAZA STRIP (ANS) – Israeli forces yesterday launched their most furious assault on the Gaza Strip yet, killing a top Hamas leader and shelling a key United Nations compound, amid intensifying diplomatic efforts to end the 20-day conflict.

Britain’s Financial Times reported in a story by Tobias Buck, Andrew England and Heba Saleh that the strikes killed Saeed Seyyam, the Hamas interior minister and the most senior leader of the Islamist group to die so far.

News of his death came as the Israeli security cabinet met to discuss an Egyptian ceasefire proposal. However, it decided only to dispatch Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, to Washington.

The Financial Times reported that her trip is an effort to finalize a US-Israeli agreement aimed at preventing weapons smuggling along the Gaza-Egypt border, and cracking down on arms shipments to Hamas long before they reach the territory’s borders.

The tentative diplomatic progress was overshadowed by Israeli attacks on key civilian targets inside Gaza, including on the UN’s main warehouse containing food, fuel and medicine in Gaza City.

The Financial Times said Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, described the shelling as an “outrage.”

The Financial Times reported the compound, which served as a shelter for 700 Palestinians at the time of the attack, was set ablaze by shells using white phosphorus, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency. The fire raged for most of the day, engulfing Gaza City in black smoke and destroying supplies and vehicles.

The Israeli assault on the densely populated territory claimed the lives of at least 70 more Palestinians, as the bombardment from the air and land drove thousands from their homes.

Almost 1,100 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have died since the conflict began.

The Financial Times reported that Israel has refused to comment on accusations that its forces are using white phosphorus, which can be used to hide military operations and causes horrific injuries when it touches the skin, human rights groups say.

The Financial Times reported that Ban, on a mission to the Middle East, said he had conveyed his “strong protest and outrage” during a meeting with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, and demanded an investigation into the shelling.

The newspaper said Ehud Olmert, Israel’s prime minister, apologized for the incident but also said that Israeli troops had come under attack from the compound – a claim immediately dismissed by UN officials.

The Financial Times said the attack on the compound was launched on the same day that Israeli forces hit a Gaza City hospital, destroying two floors and setting it ablaze, as well as a skyscraper that housed international media groups. A second warehouse for relief supplies, run by the Palestinian Red Crescent society, was also shelled.

The attacks reflected a marked escalation in Israel’s offensive against the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, but it also came as diplomats said a ceasefire was nearing.

The Financial Times reported Egyptian officials said a meeting with a senior Israeli official to discuss their ceasefire initiative had gone well, but they were awaiting a final decision from Israeli leaders. The Egyptian plan calls for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire, as well as talks on guarantees that Hamas will not be able to re-arm and that Israel will end its blockade.

But an Israeli government spokesman dismissed prospects for an impending 10-day lull in the fighting, which Egypt had discussed with Hamas on Wednesday.

The Financial Times said with Israeli forces pushing deeper into Gaza City, there was mounting panic among residents.

“It is terrible, the area is so dangerous,” said Mohammed al-Aloul, a Gazan interviewed by phone. He added, “Families are trying to escape.”

The Financial Times said that in recent days officials have said Israel has already gone some way to achieving its war aims, arguing that the offensive has dealt a severe blow to Hamas’s military capabilities.

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem Provides Assistance

Meanwhile, a news release from the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) reported that the organization has continued to assist needy residents of Israeli communities along the Gaza border by sponsoring respites for them away from the fear of Hamas rockets and mortars.

On Thursday, ICEJ said it joined with Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) Operation Blessing in providing a three-day getaway for 130 people in low-income families from the Sderot area, allowing them to enjoy a stress-free time at a Dead Sea resort. The assistance includes rooms, meals and a program of family activities.

Earlier this week, ICEJ said its partnership with CBN gave 50 elderly residents of the western Negev a week-long package in Eilat, complete with senior activities. Last week, 76 Sderot youths also enjoyed a four-day trip to the popular vacation spot.

In addition, ICEJ said in its news release, the organization said the organization recently sent another 80 people from welfare families in Sderot on a three-day respite in Galilee, while 50 residents of Netivot were provided a fun day in Jerusalem.

ICEJ said that Israeli social workers and local charities have advised ICEJ that the best way to channel help at this time is to sponsor these reprieves from the Hamas-generated daily rocket barrages.

ICEJ said, “After eight tormented years of warning sirens, they are immensely appreciated, and requests for sponsorship of more retreats are already waiting.”

Meantime, ICEJ said, Israel is again seeking solace through song. ICEJ said it appears that out of every war in Israel’s modern history, a melody has emerged that captured the mood and longing of the country at the time. The Six Day War in June 1967 inspired the anthem “Jerusalem of Gold.” Out of the second Palestinian intifada came the haunting melody “Shm’a Israel, Shm’a Elohai.”

Now, ICEJ commented, a prayerful song written by a Christian from a congregation in Beersheba is catching the attention of the nation and becoming its heart-cry. “A Prayer Under Fire” by Anthony Chapman, has been featured on Israeli television and radio this week, and the song now accompanies a YouTube video montage of the Gaza conflict.

ICEJ provided an English translation of the Hebrew lyrics.

“We’re sitting and listening to sirens and explosions, Hoping that no one will be hurt. All those close to us are calling, checking to make sure that we’re unharmed. God, draw near, we need protection. If not from You, from whom will it come? God, what now? Things here are all wrong, and we don’t know what is going to happen.”

The song continued, “I sit in the secret place of the Most High. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress.’ I will not dread terror by night; I will not fear the arrow that flies by day. Answer our prayers; protect our children; bring us into peace.”

For more information about ICEJ, go to www.icej.org

Jeremy Reynalds is a freelance writer and the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master’s degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is “The Face of Homelessness.” Additional details are available at http://www.HomelessBook.com. Reynalds’ latest book is “We All Need a Little Help.” It was released on October 3 2008. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net. Tel: (505) 400-7145.