Israel-Gaza escalating conflict

Reuters/Reuters - An explosion and smoke are seen after Israeli strikes in Gaza City November 18, 2012. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel bombed militant targets in Gaza for a fifth straight day on Sunday, launching aerial and naval attacks as its military prepared for a possible ground invasion, though Egypt saw "some indications" of a truce ahead.

Forty-seven Palestinians, about half of them civilians, including 12 children, have been killed in Israel's raids, Palestinian officials said. More than 500 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel, killing three people and injuring dozens.

Israel unleashed its massive air campaign on Wednesday, killing a leading militant of the Hamas Islamist group that controls Gaza and rejects Israel's existence, with the declared goal of deterring gunmen in the coastal enclave from launching rockets that have plagued its southern communities for years.

The Jewish state has since launched more than 950 air strikes on the coastal Palestinian territory, targeting weaponry and flattening militant homes and headquarters.

The raids continued past midnight on Sunday, with warships bombarding targets from the sea. And an air raid targeted a building in Gaza City housing the offices of local Arab media, wounding three journalists from al Quds television, a station Israel sees as pro-Hamas, witnesses said.

Two other predawn attacks on houses in the Jebalya refugee camp killed one child and wounded 12 other people, medical officials said.

These attacks followed a defiant statement by Hamas military spokesman Abu Ubaida, who told a televised news conference.

"This round of confrontation will not be the last against the Zionist enemy and it is only the beginning."

The masked gunman dressed in military fatigues insisted that despite Israel's blows Hamas "is still strong enough to destroy the enemy."

An Israeli attack on Saturday destroyed the house of a Hamas commander near the Egyptian border.

Casualties there were averted however, because Israel had fired non-exploding missiles at the building beforehand from a drone, which the militant's family understood as a warning to flee, and thus their lives were spared, witnesses said.

Israeli aircraft also bombed Hamas government buildings in Gaza on Saturday, including the offices of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and a police headquarters.

Among those killed in air strikes on Gaza on Saturday were at least four suspected militants riding motorcycles, and several civilians including a 30-year-old woman.

ISRAELI SCHOOLS SHUT

Israel said it would keep schools in its southern region shut on Sunday as a precaution to avoid casualties from rocket strikes reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the past few days.

Israel's "Iron Dome" missile interceptor system destroyed in mid-air a rocket fired by Gaza militants at Tel Aviv on Saturday, where volleyball games on the beach front came to an abrupt halt as air-raid sirens sounded.

Hamas' armed wing claimed responsibility for the attack on Tel Aviv, the third against the city since Wednesday. It said it had fired an Iranian-designed Fajr-5 at the coastal metropolis, some 70 km (43 miles) north of Gaza.

In the Israeli Mediterranean port of Ashdod, a rocket ripped into several balconies. Police said five people were hurt.

Israel's operation has drawn Western support for what U.S. and European leaders have called Israel's right to self-defense, but there was also a growing number of calls from world leaders to seek an end to the violence.

British Prime Minister David Cameron "expressed concern over the risk of the conflict escalating further and the danger of further civilian casualties on both sides," in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a spokesperson for Cameron said.

The United Kingdom was "putting pressure on both sides to de-escalate," the spokesman said, adding that Cameron had urged Netanyahu "to do everything possible to bring the conflict to an end."

Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser to President Barack Obama, said the United States would like to see the conflict resolved through "de-escalation" and diplomacy, but also believes Israel has a right to self-defense.

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said in Cairo as his security deputies sought to broker a truce with Hamas leaders, that "there are some indications that there is a possibility of a ceasefire soon, but we do not yet have firm guarantees."

Egypt has mediated previous ceasefire deals between Israel and Hamas, the latest of which unraveled with recent violence.

A Palestinian official told Reuters the truce discussions would continue in Cairo on Sunday, saying "there is hope," but it was too early to say whether the efforts would succeed.

In Jerusalem, an Israeli official declined to comment on the negotiations. Military commanders said Israel was prepared to fight on to achieve a goal of halting rocket fire from Gaza, which has plagued Israeli towns since late 2000, when failed peace talks led to the outbreak of a Palestinian uprising.

Diplomats at the United Nations said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit Israel and Egypt in the coming week to push for an end to the fighting.

POSSIBLE GROUND OFFENSIVE

Israel, though, with tanks and artillery positioned along the frontier, signaled it was still weighing a possible ground offensive into Gaza.

Israeli cabinet ministers decided on Friday to more than double the current reserve troop quota set for the Gaza offensive to 75,000 and around 16,000 reservists have already been called up.

Asked by reporters whether a ground operation was possible, Major-General Tal Russo, commander of the Israeli forces on the Gaza frontier, said: "Definitely."

"We have a plan. ... It will take time. We need to have patience. It won't be a day or two," he added.

Another senior commander briefing reporters on condition of anonymity said Israel had scored "good achievements" in striking at nearly 1,000 targets, with the aim of ridding Hamas of firepower imported from Libya, Sudan and Iran.

A possible move into the densely populated Gaza Strip and the risk of major casualties it brings would be a significant gamble for Netanyahu, favorite to win a January national election.

Hamas fighters are no match for the Israeli military. The last Gaza war, involving a three-week Israeli air blitz and ground invasion over the New Year's period of 2008-09, killed over 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians. Thirteen Israelis died in the conflict.

But the Gaza conflagration has stirred the pot of a Middle East already boiling from two years of Arab revolution and a civil war in Syria that threatens to spread beyond its borders.

One major change has been the election of an Islamist government in Cairo that is allied with Hamas, potentially narrowing Israel's maneuvering room in confronting the Palestinian group. Israel and Egypt made peace in 1979.

(Writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; Editing by Todd Eastham)

Bullying...

Recently, radio channels in Malaysia are broadcasting awareness messages against bullying and it caught my attention when one radio announcer mentioned that although bullying makes the bullied person stronger and more courages over the years, but the pain can still be felt...

I believe it is true, thinking back of the bad experiences being an alopecian back in high/secondary school, being the only guy with freak bald patches all over the scalp...

Will need make some time and do some research on the topic of "bullying". Research into the minds of a bully and the bullied...

God bless us all.

God makes us for a reason and nothing is in vain, we were made for so much more because there's a place for us...:)

Joshua

p/s: visit my other blog There's a place for us... or simply watch the youtube below and read the lyrics...

The lyrics of the song performed by Carrie Underwood- There's a place for us



There's a place out there for us

More than just a prayer or anything you've ever dreamed of

So when you feel like giving up, 'cause you don't fit in down here

Fear is crashing in, close your eyes and take my hand, yeah

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe

It's written in the stars that shine above

A world where you and I belong where, faith and love will keep us strong

Exactly who we are is just enough

There's a place for us

There's a place for us

When the water meets the sky

Where your heart is free and hope comes back to life

When these broken hands are whole again

We'll find what we've been waiting for, we were made for so much more

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe

It's written in the stars that shine above

A world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong

Exactly who we are is just enough

There's a place for us

There's a place for us

So hold on, hold on

There's a place for us

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe

It's written in the stars that shine above

A world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong

Exactly who we are is just enough

Exactly who we are is just enough

There's a place for us

Floods in Thailand & Earthquake in Turkey

Natural disasters of epic proportions are happening on a weekly basis while violence and oppresion continue to take place across the Arab world. Continue on with countless unreported or undocumented cases of injustice, human trafficking, slavery or sexual assaults happening everyday dampens our spirit.

While keeping our hopes alive, we must not slide into ignorance and heartlessness.





Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, we prayed that our hearts are willing to give generously.

Joshua

Heartless society

The incident and video footage pierced not only my heart but soul as well...A chinese toddler was hit, ran-over twice and 18 passerbys offered no assistance whatsoever...





A second video showed (recently happened) remarkable display of compassion and instinct by a dog saving another dog after it was hit. How people can be so heartless these days?...




Lord, forgive us.

Joshua

Natural Disasters in Japan, Myanmar

In a very short period of several months into the year of 2011, scores of natural disasters and socio-political unrests in the middle east have tainted the hope of a peaceful and a good year for humanity.

Japan's earthquake has killed more than 10,000 and the death toll is expected to reach beyond 20,000. Hundreds of billions dollars are lost due to the quake. Nuclear reactor woe in Fukushima plant has only further worsen the properous nation of Japan. While kind and generous individuals and charitable organizations across the globe raise funds and provide aides, what kind of aide / help have we heard from huge profit-making multinational giant company like Toyota, Honda, Sony...etc? The only news I heard from the profit giants were only delays of reopening manucfacturing plants in Japan and minimizes loses due to the quake.

These corporate companies making billions of dollars a year have not pledge publicly how they would contribute to the disaster, while leaving the task of humanitarian aide and help of a leading role to charitable organisations struggling to raise a million or two dollars from ordinary and kind individuals in response to this much bigger than expected disaster in Japan.

All of us should not give up hope, live daily by thanking God, treasuring the blessings He bestowed on us daily as well as the friends and family that love us dearly. Make beautiful memories and build genuine relationships as we put selfishness, greed, wealth and power in a lesser priority in our life.

After what use if a person gain the entire world and lost his soul? as mentioned in the Bible. Therefore, live a fruitful life, a life for God and others. For those who doesnt believe in the existence of God, live a life for others...

That's all I have to say this time.

Joshua

Baby/ Fetus dumping getting rampant these days in Malaysia

I am disgusted and appalled by such disgrace act, even more when the child is left to die in the trash..etc. Some news link by clicking here.

These babies may be the result of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies by large. But how could some one with so little respect for life! Social illness of rampant wild living without sense of responsibility and regard for life and morality.

Baby dumping is a good indicator of plunging moral values in ones society to the bottom.

I support the call of various NGOs, to criminalize baby dumping and prosecute the offenders for murder if post-mortem reveals that the baby/infant was born alive.

In addition, I support the call for prominent lawyer and opposition leader YB Karpal Singh (Democratic Action Party National Chairman) for capital punishment for the offence of child raping. If not, a life-time imprisonment!

May the Lord have mercies on the soul of these poor innocent children and I am sure He does and loves them dearly in heaven at the very moment.

Joshua

In Christ Alone...

Praise the LORD!

In Christ alone. All things are possible. Its good to be back in the blogging world :).

Joshua

Thougths & prayers to the people of Haiti

Haiti has been devastated severely with a powerful 7.0 Magnitude earthquake. Follow complete news coverage on CNN special.

The sights and sounds of news everywhere sent a poignant reminder of how fragile life is, the terrorist attack in 2001 , Asian Tsunami in 2004, Hurricance Katrina in 2005...and so much more countless tragic events. It's heartbreaking to see so many lives being lost, even more so that many Haitians are already living in poverty.


Many would take this opportunity to question the compassion and mercy of God, and some would even question, and further challenge the existence of God. However, to people with faith in God, we must do whatever we can in helping Haitians, the victims in this disaster, at least a prayer for comfort and encouragement. Let us all say a prayer now...


Heavenly Father, great and beautiful is Your Name. Grant us a compassionate heart to weep along with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Let our spirit be filled with love and mercy for people. I pray that the victims will be relief immediately by countless tiredless rescue workers, doctors and nurses caring for the injured, humanitarian workers and volunteers. The loss of loved ones would be the toughest of all kind of suffering as how You had lost Your Son, Christ on the cross on Calvary. However, let us and the Haitians not be discouraged, for you're the creator of life, and sustainer of eternity and full of love. Embrace and comfort the lost, the injured, the sick, the children, the women, the men...Hear our prayers, Father and hear not from the people who want You out of the world.

Here's a song I like to find comfort in whenever tragic even like this takes place...I dont have time to make a music video from the Haiti earthquake, but nevertheless the sight and sound of Sept. 11 Attacks will enable us to feel the pain for those who lost their lives and the victims of tragic events like the latest in Haiti.

Joshua

An emaciated and malnourished child

Kevin Carter's 1994 Pulitzer Prize award-photograph.

"In March 1993 Carter made a trip to southern Sudan. The sound of soft, high-pitched whimpering near the village of Ayod attracted Carter to an emaciated Sudanese toddler. The girl had stopped to rest while struggling to a feeding center, whereupon a vulture had landed nearby. He said that he waited about 20 minutes, hoping that the vulture would spread its wings. It didn't. Carter snapped the haunting photograph and chased the vulture away. However, he also came under heavy criticism for just photographing — and not helping — the little girl:

"The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene "

- Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Carter#Prize-winning_photograph_in_Sudan

While people continue to harp on criticsms directly on Kevin Carter, let us look at the bigger picture. Thousands or even ten of thousands of human (no lesser than those who are reading this from the computer screen) die everyday because hunger and malnutrition. How much longer that the world must go on like these?!!!

In humility and with deep regret, I have not done enough and have never being doing enough to assist in alleviating the sufferings of poverty and hunger that hundreds of millions people are facing at the very moment.

The picture has such a deep impact on me that it has changed the entire course of my life personally. No child should go to bed in hunger. The world according to FAO (United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation)is producing nearly twice the amount of food/resources that required by the current 6.7 Billion human beings. In January 2009, FAO estimates that 1.02 Billion/ one-sixth of the world population is malnourished.

As ordinary citizens of the world, we should realize how lucky for those who are reading this from the computer screen (One assumes that when you own a computer and internet connection, you should not be malnourished). It is not only for us to realize how lucky we are but also to take action to HELP our fellow humankind. Living in ignorance and greed must not be our way of life eventhough it has encroached deeply into our society.

Back to Kevin Carter's award winning picture. We may never know if the emaciated girl in the picture survived the day after the picture was taken eventhough we all hope that she does and still living today. Everyone is responsible when a fellow human die in hunger, especially for those who know that this is happening. Let this picture change our course of life, living a life to honor God (for those with faith) by sharing our fortunes with the less fortunate, for others, may it serve as a wake-up call that we are just ordinary people nothing more special than the girl who struggled to a feeding station while being watched by a vulture.

There is no person on earth that could be untouched by this poignant picture unless that they're heartless. It is true that charity begins at home, conserve resources and let not a single grain being flushed away as watse from today onwards, start looking for viable and reliable route to help a child or a community battling poverty and hunger even with a penny/ a cent a day from tonight onwards.

Let us not repeat the mistake that Kevin Carter had done. Let us lend our hand and a reassuring embrace with love and encouragement to the less fortunate today starting with a prayer now.

Joshua

Air France Flight 447 Tragedy - a mouthpiece for opportunist?

Air France Flight 447 scheduled on 1st June 2009 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean hours after taking off from Rio De Janeiro enroute for Paris.

A tragic accident that took many beautiful lives and changed thousands of lives forever. While the family and friends of the victims still mourning over the loss of their loved ones. A wound that would take years or even decades to heal yet will still live a scar in one's broken heart, people around the globe watched the news with sympathy to begin with. Soon enough, their sympathy fades as soon as the media coverage fades away.

This tragic accident (less than a month old) which took so many wonderful lives has already been used as a shameful mouthpiece/ argument material for some ignorant quarters of the society. While there are many examples, I would only pick two most ridiculous, ignorant of how this tragedy has been used to sastify one's hunger to be right or correct (= one that thinks they know the best)

1. I have come across a comment from a religious person of the Christian faith, who with pre-conceived judgement said that probably none of the 228 person on Flight 447 from Rio to Paris on June 1st 2009 have prayed sincerely to God for a safe journey.

This is an outrage statement! This comment was made without a sense of human sympathy/ sensitivity for the victims and their friends and family! In addition, it is an insult to the Christian faith and God. God and the Bible has in NO where warrants or validate that people with the Christian faith would not endure hardship, sickness, pain and eventually death itself in life! I am deeply disgusted with such statement.

2. An atheist quoted the tragic event as an incident to prove the inexistence of God.

Rubbish! It's like seeing a bird on the ground for that moment and proclaimed that the bird cannot the fly the next minute. Without sense of sadness and sympathy for the victims especially for those with faith in God, the person who made the statement rob the already broken hearts of many to be used for his personal belief/ argument. (I'm not going into the debate of the Existence of God)

The two outrages statments made above must be condemned by all right-thinking people. Let us continue to set our prayers, thoughts and comforts to the family and friends of the victims of flight 447. On a personal note, both who made the statements are actually playing god themselves. The former acted if he is Deputy God, speaking on behalf of God while the later acted if he is Guardian of God by declaring God does not exist.

let us all set our heart and thoughts in a good spirit with love and kindess towards all.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by this tragic accident.

Joshua