Gaza Camps Offer Arts and Crafts, Not AK-47s

Egypt brokers deal to stop escalating violence

(AP) - Gaza militants agreed to a cease-fire with Israel to stop spiking violence, a Hamas official said today, after a deadly attack across the Egyptian border on Israeli vehicles set off a three-day round of rapidly escalating Israeli airstrikes and rocket barrages from Gaza. The sudden flareup also threatened Israel-Egypt relations, after three Egyptian police were killed as the cross-border clash developed Thursday. Egypt complained strongly as thousands demonstrated in Cairo, and Israel apologized. More»

Situation continues to escalate after deadly attacks

(NEWSER) - The situation continues to get uglier in Gaza and southern Israel: Gaza militants launched rockets into Israel this morning in the latest move following yesterday's coordinated attacks against Israelis. Israel had initially retaliated against those attacks, which killed eight, with an airstrike yesterday that killed five. Israel continued those airstrikes past midday today, targeting what the military said were smuggling tunnels and sites used by gunmen, the AP reports. Hamas says two children have been killed in the strikes. Early today, at least 10 rockets were fired into Israel by Gaza militants; one was intercepted, another wounded six Israelis. More»

The deal comes after weeks of increasing violence

(NEWSER) - After weeks of increasing violence, the likes of which has not been since since the end of the Gaza war in 2009, Israel and Hamas have agreed to step back from a major confrontation. A weekend of attacks left 19 Palestinians dead, including six civilians, and 65 injured. In addition, dozens of rockets were fired at southern Israel, and Israel launched airstrikes, the Guardian reports. But now a UN envoy has reportedly brokered a ceasefire, and leaders from both sides indicated they do not wish to escalate the conflict. More»

Party shares blame with Israel for sky-high unemployment

(NEWSER) - As joblessness mounts in the beleaguered Gaza Strip, more and more residents are blaming the ruling Hamas party for their woes, GlobalPost reports. Although Gaza has one of the fastest population growth rates on earth, 45% of people have no job and 85% depend on aid to get by. And while Palestinians largely blame Israel’s stifling economic blockade, they are increasingly turning their ire on Hamas, too. More»

(NEWSER) - Israel began pulling troops out of the Gaza Strip today after Hamas echoed the call for a ceasefire, the Times of London reports. As troops started leaving, Gazans came out of their homes to survey the damage. Mosque loudspeakers declared "victory," but Palestinians appeared too stunned to celebrate. “Everything has been completely destroyed,” said one man looking at his neighborhood. More»