Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

PM Netanyahu: Our Soldiers Achieved Significant Goals
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

A short while ago, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced the cabinet's decision to not expand the IDF's operations in the Gaza Strip. He noted that the ops to take out the terror tunnels had almost been completed.

"I feel the pain of the bereaved families, and send them my condolences along with those of the entire nation," the Prime Minister said.

Netanyahu: IDF to Continue in Gaza 'For As Long As Necessary'
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

IDF soldiers near Gaza

Flash 90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated Saturday night that Operation Protective Edge in Gaza will continue "for as much time as necessary," despite earlier reports indicating that some IDF forces may be withdrawing. The Prime Minister explained that some troops are being distanced from civilian areas where the IDF has achieved its objectives to prevent unnecessary friction.

"From the beginning, we promised to return the quiet to Israel's citizens and we will continue to act until that aim is achieved. We will take as much time as necessary, and will exert as much force as needed," he said in a public address.

Netanyahu also addressed the bereaved families; sixty-three soldiers have been killed since Operation Protective Edge began 26 days ago. 

"I hurt with the bereaved families and send them my condolences and the condolences of the Jewish people," he said. "They sacrificed their lives and they fell to defend our country, our home. My heart and the entire nation's hearts are with each and every one of them. I have personaly experienced how they feel."

Netanyahu addressed the family of Second Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Friday, vowing to do whatever can be done to find Hadar. He promised to speak to them personally this evening.

Meanwhile, he thanked Israeli citizens for "your uniformity, strength, and unity" and promised to "restore calm to Israel." 

"We have the strong support of the US and Europe, which is an important achievement for Israel," he continued. "It will strengthen our mission to demilitarize, disarm and reconstruct the Gaza Strip." 

"We have nothing against the uninvolved people of Gaza, we regret every civilian killed," he added. 

Netanyahu also intimated that Israel has formed closer bonds with some of its neighboring countries over the latest round of fighting, a positive result of the operation which also saw Hamas blamed by much of the international community for breaking a 72-hour humanitarian cease-fire arrangement. 

"No less important, and certainly surprising to many, is the unique relationship formed with countries in the region," Netanyahu said, noting that "this, too is a very important asset for Israel."

"After the hostilities and the end of the campaign it will open many possibilities," he said. "It's obvious what is happening here. Hamas wants to blame Israel for the suffering of Gazans. The world understands who Hamas is [now], the organization that, together with Qatar, led John Kerry and Obama to be fooled." 

"Unfortunately there are also different voices, to them I say: terrorism has no borders - today they threaten the State of Israel and tomorrow they will go after other countries," he continued. "What will you do with them then? Will you stand with Israel?"

Referring to reports that the IDF has said it has destroyed nearly all Hamas tunnels, and will complete the destruction of the rest in the coming days, the Prime Minister said that this was what is being done in Gaza, but that "Israeli geniuses are already coming up with answers to both the tunnel and mortar fire challenges that can be employed from within Israel". He added that he cannot elaborate on that at present.

Operation Protective Edge - What next?

Earlier, the Israeli army on Saturday informed residents of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza that it was "safe" to return to their homes, as troops began withdrawing from the area.

"Messages have been conveyed to residents of the northern Gaza Strip that they may return to the Beit Lahiya area," an army statement said, with a spokeswoman indicating the message had been relayed to authorities in the Islamist-ruled enclave.

"They have been informed it is safe for civilians to return to Beit Lahiya and Al-Atatra," the spokeswoman told AFP, in what was understood to be a confirmation that troops had stopped operating there.  

Witnesses in Al-Atatra, which is part of Beit Lahiya, reported seeing troops pulling back, in a move mirrored in the south, where residents said the soldiers had withdrawn from villages east of Khan Yunis, close to the Israeli border.

The announcement came amid reports that Israel would not be sending a delegation to truce talks in Cairo, with some suggesting the pullback could signal the start of a unilateral Israeli withdrawal which the Prime Minister denied.

Hamas, for its part, has said it will not necessarily be bound by any unilateral Israeli ceasefire.

"If the occupation unilaterally withdraws, the battle field would decide the response. We're not going to be obligated to anything," said Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri.

While the IAF is hitting targets in Gaza, the IDF is continuing its search for IDF Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, feared abducted in a Hamas attack in which a suicide bomber killed two other soldiers and breached a 72-hour ceasefire which had begun earlier on Friday.

Let the Headlines Speak
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsFrom the internet
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

U.S. government seeking to test Ebola vaccine on humans: reports
The U.S. government will begin testing on people an experimental Ebola vaccine as early as September, after seeing positive results from tests on primates... The National Institutes of Health's infectious disease unit is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to put the vaccine into trial as quickly as possible...  

Anti-Semitism Rises in Europe Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict
Across Europe, the conflict in Gaza is generating a broader backlash against Jews, as threats, hate speech and even violent attacks proliferate in several countries. Most surprising perhaps, a wave of incidents has washed over Germany, where atonement for the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes is a bedrock of the modern society.  

Netanyahu to US: Don't second guess me on Hamas
Following the quick collapse of the cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the White House not to force a truce with Palestinian militants on Israel. Sources familiar with conversations between Netanyahu and senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, say the Israeli leader advised the Obama administration "not to ever second guess me again" on the matter.  

Ukraine crisis: Rebel adviser 'admits executions'
A senior adviser to rebels in eastern Ukraine has confirmed that extrajudicial killings have been carried out "to prevent chaos". Igor Druz told the BBC such "executions" sent an important signal to the rest of the rebel forces. He also said Ukraine's government was a "terrorist" organisation, committing war crimes against civilians.  

Ebola crisis: Virus spreading too fast, says WHO
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is spreading faster than efforts to control it, World Health Organization (WHO) head Margaret Chan has said. She told a summit of regional leaders that failure to contain Ebola could be "catastrophic" in terms of lives lost. But she said the virus, which has claimed 728 lives in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since February, could be stopped if well managed.  

British embassy in Libya to 'suspend operations'
The UK is to temporarily close its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, because of worsening violence. The Foreign Office, which has urged Britons to leave the country immediately, said consular assistance would not be available from Monday. Ambassador Michael Aron described the situation as "very sad" and said staff would return to the embassy "as soon as security allows".  

Mexican journalists denounce Sinaloa state 'gag law'
Journalists in Mexico have criticised a new law that restricts crime reporting in north-eastern Sinaloa state. The legislation bans journalists from taking pictures and recording video or audio at a crime scene. Journalists will have to rely on official information approved by the Prosecutor's Office to report on crime.  

UN chief Ban condemns Hamas violation of cease-fire, capture of IDF soldier
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned on Friday the reported violation by Islamist Hamas militants of a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and demanded the immediate, unconditional release of a captured Israeli soldier. "He is shocked and profoundly disappointed by these developments," UN spokesman...said. "The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza."  

Israel will not attend Gaza truce talks in Cairo, official says
Israel will not send envoys to Gaza truce negotiations in Egypt on Saturday as planned, an Israeli official said, accusing Hamas of misleading international mediators. "Hamas is not interested in an accommodation," the official said on condition of anonymity.  

David Cameron calls on Nato to rethink Russia relationship
Nato needs to rethink its long-term relationship with Russia, which views the alliance as "an adversary", Prime Minister David Cameron has warned. He said there has to be a "robust presence" in eastern Europe because of Russia's "illegal" actions in Ukraine.  

17 soldiers die fighting militants; blasts hit Baghdad
At least 17 Iraqi soldiers were killed in a fierce battle against militants south of Baghdad Friday while bombs in and around the capital left another 16 people dead.  

Puerto Rico braces for rain from tropical storm
Tropical Storm Bertha spun toward Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic early Saturday after dumping heavy rain across the eastern Caribbean and causing several power outages in the region.  

Ugandan Court Invalidates Anti-Gay Law
A Ugandan court on Friday invalidated an anti-gay bill signed into law earlier this year, pleasing activists and watchdog groups who called the measure draconian and wanted it repealed. The Constitutional Court declared the law illegal because it was passed during a parliamentary session that lacked a quorum.  

U.N. Condemns Israel, U.S. for Not Sharing Iron Dome with Hamas
The United Nations slammed Israel for possibly committing war crimes in its fight against Hamas — and then backed that accusation by suggesting the Jewish nation ought to be sharing its Iron Dome defensive technology with the very terror group it’s fighting.  

Why ISIS Blew Up Jonah’s Tomb, And Why It Might Backfire
Last week, members of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), the ruthless militant group currently marauding through Iraq, reportedly blew up the tomb of the Prophet Yunus. The burial site of Yunus, commonly known to many Christians as the biblical figure Jonah, was located in the modern-day city of Mosul (once the biblical city of Nineveh), and was seen by many archeologists and religious scholars as an ancient — and precious — religious artifact. Now, reports indicate, it is little more than rubble.  

Latin America comes out in force against Israel
Latin America's leaders are among the most vehement in condemning Israel's Gaza offensive -- labelling the Jewish state "terrorist", recalling ambassadors, and offering near-unanimous, unwavering support to Palestinians.  

Yellowstone Volcano Eruption Effects: Entire World Would be at Risk if Supervolcano Erupts
The Yellowstone volcano is an increasing source of interest, being perceived as one of the volcanoes most likely to erupt in the United States and the subject of a number of articles, videos, and blog posts. People have been sharing advice on how to survive if the volcano does end up erupting anytime soon. Now it’s worth looking at the potential effects of an eruption.  

Hamas Vows to Carry on Fighting Israel
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Hamas vowed Saturday to continue its fight against Israel that has cost more than 1,670 Palestinian lives until the Islamist terrorist group has achieved its objectives.

"We will continue our resistance till we achieve our goals," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told AFP, shortly after a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in which he claimed to have dealt a "significant blow" to the Islamist movement since the conflict broke out on July 8.

"Netanyahu was confused, which shows he's facing a real crisis," Barhum said.

Finance Minister Speaks With U.S. Secretary of State
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsThe Jerusalem Post
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Finance Minister Yair Lapid and US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on the Phone on Saturday evening. The Yesh Atid head thanked Secretary Kerry and the US Senate for the decision to provide $225 million in emergency funding for Israel's Iron Dome system.

Lapid said Israel deeply valued the strategic partnership with the US and went on to discuss in detail the political and securtiy developments, following the kidnapping of Sec.-Lt. Hadar Goldin in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Kerry, in turn, said the US would do everything in its power to help Israel track the missing Israeli officer.

Egypt Pushes Cease - Fire As 'Real Chance' to End Gaza War
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi

Reuters

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday an Egyptian truce plan provides a "real chance" to end the Gaza conflict, stressing the need for its speedy implementation, according to AFP. 

A Palestinian delegation is expected in Cairo on Saturday to discuss a durable truce to end the fighting, a day after a temporary ceasefire collapsed with Israel and Hamas blaming each other.

"The Egyptian proposal is the real chance to find a solution to the crisis in Gaza and to end the bloodshed," Sisi told a joint news conference with visiting Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

"Time is decisive, we have to take advantage of it quickly to douse the fire in the (Gaza) Strip...and to stop the bloodshed of Palestinians."

When the latest Gaza war erupted last month, Egypt - the traditional broker in such conflicts - cobbled together a ceasefire proposal, quickly
backed by Israel, Arab governments, the United States and the United Nations, but brushed off by Hamas.

Hamas accused Egypt of co-ordinating with Israel and bypassing the Palestinian movement when offering the ceasefire proposal.

Sisi, who last year ousted his Islamist predecessor, Mohamed Morsi, had moved to further isolate Hamas, a close ally of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has faced a brutal police crackdown since Morsi's overthrow.

On Saturday, Sisi insisted that the Egyptian proposal could be the basis to launch negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

"It is the third time that there is Palestinian bloodshed," he said, referring to earlier conflicts in 2008 and 2012.

"We should take advantage of the difficult circumstances... and we have a real chance to put an end to the current crisis and build on it a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause."

Renzi gave his backing to the Egyptian initiative and called for the release of an Israeli soldier said to have been captured by Hamas.

"I join my voice to the voices of European ministers in calling for the release of the captured Israeli soldier," Renzi said.

Hamas has denied any knowledge about the fate of the missing Israeli.

A joint Palestinian delegation, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad representatives, is arriving in Cairo later Saturday for talks for a longer-term truce in Gaza.

A proposed three-day truce that began at 0500 GMT Friday collapsed amid a deadly new wave of bloodshed and the apparent capture of the Israeli soldier.

Since Operation Protective Edge began on July 8, Cairo has condemned Israel's ground offensive but it also lashed out at Hamas, saying the Islamist movement could have saved dozens of lives had it accepted Cairo's proposal for a cease-fire early on in the operation.

An Egyptian foreign ministry official, meanwhile, said Cairo has so far sent more than 1,000 tonnes of medical and food aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing which has been opened for "humanitarian" reasons.

The official also said Egypt has received wounded Palestinians who are being treated in local hospitals.

Danon Slams Government Decision to Order IDF to Begin Gaza Withdrawal
Aug 2nd, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Likud MK and former defense minister Danny Danon criticized the cabinet’s decision on Saturday to order Israel’s military forces to begin withdrawing its soldiers from the Gaza Strip.

“The cabinet voted in the spirit of [Justice Minister] Tzipi Livni and gave the IDF the order to move in the wrong direction,” said Danon, who was removed from his post as deputy defense minister by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last month in response to his criticism of the government’s handling of the Gaza campaign.

“You need to fight terrorism, not hesitate against it,” Danon said. “Hamas was not defeated, and the countdown to the next round of fighting has begun. Without defeating Hamas, there won’t be quiet in the long term.