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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Israel Bombs Gaza Tunnels

Escalating violence threatens ceasefire as US envoy heads to region

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(Newser) – Israel bombed smuggling tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border today in response to yesterday's killing of an Israeli soldier, CNN reports. The escalating violence is threatening the fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. The strikes occurred just as George Mitchell, President Obama's envoy to the Middle East, was scheduled to arrive for meetings in the region in hopes of shoring up peace. No one was apparently hurt in today's attacks, but panicked residents fled their homes.

Israel made closing the tunnels, used for smuggling weapons and other goods into Gaza, a priority in its 22-day offensive but the smuggling resumed soon after the ceasefire was declared 10 days ago. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned more missile strikes are likely. "Israel wants the quiet  to continue, but Israel will act to defend herself," said a government spokesman. "If Hamas continues with its violent provocations, the ceasefire will simply not exist."

Palestinians stand over a hole of a collapsed tunnel while others (not pictured) work on constructing new tunnels under the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinians stand over a hole of a collapsed tunnel while others (not pictured) work on constructing new tunnels under the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip.   (Getty Images)
Israeli tanks are seen in a staging area near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.
Israeli tanks are seen in a staging area near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
A Palestinian shepherd herds walks past a house yesterday destroyed in an Israeli military strike in the devastated area of east Jebaliya in the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian shepherd herds walks past a house yesterday destroyed in an Israeli military strike in the devastated area of east Jebaliya in the Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
Palestinians work on repairing old smuggling tunnels damaged during the Israeli military operation that run under the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinians work on repairing old smuggling tunnels damaged during the Israeli military operation that run under the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
A Palestinian smuggler works in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on the border with Egypt.
A Palestinian smuggler works in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on the border with Egypt.   (AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
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3 comments
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radnip
Jan 28, 09 3:59 AM CST
Um, has there ever been a REAL ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians? It seems every few months it's "Israel bombs Palestinians; ceasefire announced; Palestinians fire on Israel", rinse and repeat. What does this say about Arab honor when their word means very little? Or should the U.S. just import all the Israelis and dissolve Israel as the Arabs want to do? Maybe diplomacy is prolonging what ought to be an all-out fight. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
airron14
Jan 28, 09 2:58 PM CST
woo ethnic cleansing? Seriously, shut up!
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riffran
Jan 28, 09 4:46 AM CST
now there is a contridiction in terms...arab+honor....kinda like peacefull-islamic Reply
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