Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Ukraine Threatens to Cut Russian Energy for Europe
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

According to a report in The Australian, the Ukraine is warning of possibly cutting off Russian oil and gas flows to Europe banning all Russian airlines from entering its airspace, as a response to Moscow’s criticism for suspending a ceasefire at the crash site of MH17.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated that these measures are only a part of a sanctions bill that will be submitted to their parliament.

Energy disputes in the past have resulted in cuts in supply for European consumer.

Turkey's Erdogan Wins Presidential Poll
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsThe Jerusalem Post
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

ANKARA - Tayyip Erdogan won Turkey's first presidential election on Sunday after securing a majority of the votes, the High Election Board (YSK) said, citing provisional figures.

"The provisional results show that Erdogan has the majority of the valid votes," YSK chairman Sadi Guven told a news conference.

"Tomorrow I will provide the numbers. We have received more than 99 percent (of the votes). Tomorrow we will announce the provisional results."

Three - Day Truce to Begin At Midnight
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Washing down a tank

Flash 90

A new 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza has been agreed between Israel and the Palestinians following mediation by Egypt, a Palestinian official said Sunday. Israel confirmed Sunday evening that the 72-hour truce will go into effect at midnight. According to Channel 2, the Israeli delegation will head to Cairo for talks Monday morning, if the fire from Gaza does indeed cease and the night is a quiet one.

Hamas played a double game Sunday, with its negotiators reportedly agreeing to a ceasefire in Cairo, and its terrorists in Gaza launching missiles at Israel. Israel insists that it will not negotiate under fire, but Hamas appeared to be trying to make it do so anyway.

A Hamas spokesman told AFP on Sunday that the Palestinians are examining a proposal for a new 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza.

"There is a proposal for another 72-hour truce (to allow) for the continuation of negotiations," Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP in Gaza, without saying when it would begin. "This proposal is being studied," he said, indicating the Palestinian response would depend on "the seriousness of the Israeli position".

His remarks came after Egyptian and Palestinian negotiators wrapped up a fresh round of talks in Cairo, saying they would issue a statement within the coming hours.

The Israeli delegation was currently locked in talks over "all the developments," an official told AFP, without ruling out the possibility the team could return to Cairo. "The delegation is sitting together to discuss all the developments," he said. "If they do, it will be this evening or tomorrow."

So far, Egyptian efforts to broker an end to more than a month of fighting have led nowhere, with Israel pulling its team out of talks in Cairo on Friday after Hamas refused to extend a 72-hour ceasefire.

Sirens in Ashkelon

Sirens sounded Sunday in Ashkelon, and communities in the Gaza Belt and the Eshkol region in southern Israel. The Iron Dome system successfully intercepted three rockets over the industrial area at Ashkelon. The rest fell in open spaces, without casualties or damage.

At the same time, the IDF has been attacking terror targets in Gaza. The IAF struck dozens of targets from southern to northern Gaza. In the early afternoon, an IAF aircraft attacked a terror activist who was preparing to fire a rocket at Israel, and a hit on the target was identified.

In Jordan, King Abdullah blamed Israel for the fighting, and said that it is “responsible for the aggression and the deadly campaign.” He said that the only way Israel could guarantee its security will be to conduct negotiations with the Palestinians, with the goal of establishing a Palestinian state.

Kerem Shalom

The Defense Ministry said Sunday that it had closed down the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, after a rocket scored a direct hit on it in the early afternoon. It was decided not to risk the lives of the workers and to shut down the crossing until further notice.

"After continuous and deliberate fire at the Kerem Shalom crossing, which almost hit trucks carrying flammable materials to Gaza, we reached the unusual decision to close the passage, in order to protect the workers and the merchants,” said the Crossings Authority. “The crossing remained open throughout the despite incessant fire in its vicinity, and was an exclusive artery for passage of goods and essential humanitarian equipment for Gaza.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Operation Protective Edge is continuing. "No one announced its termination," he noted. "The campaign will continue until the mission is completed: an extended period of quiet in the South," he added, referring to Hamas escalation. "We said when the operation began and throughout the process: it will take time and patience."

Israel will also not acquiesce to international pressure, he said.

"Israel will not negotiate under fire," Netanyahu stressed. "Israel will continue to act in any way [necessary] to change the current situation and bring peace to all its citizens. We stand together in unity and determination, until we're finished [with the campaign]."

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has demanded Hamas's cooperation with a full cease-fire.

"If Hamas thinks it could exhaust us, it is wrong – we will return to negotiations only after the cease-fire," he said. "We will not compromise on a cease-fire and [an end to] terrorism."

Sean Hannity Blasts News Shows Over Israel Coverage
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Report: Palestinian Arab Delegation Agrees to 72 - Hour Truce
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Hamas supporters in Gaza

Flash 90

The Palestinian Arab delegation in Cairo - comprising of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah (Palestinian Authority) members - have tentatively agreed to a cease-fire, PA state television reports Sunday.

IDF Radio correspondents first broke the news to Israeli media; according to the public news outlet, PA state TV reports claim that the delegation has agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire. 

Israeli officials and international media have yet to comment on the report, which could be another false alarm after multiple reports of deals in Cairo, and after the Israeli delegation left last week following the renewed rocket fire on Friday after the last ceasefire. 

The announcement has sparked some skepticism, as senior Hamas official Ezzat al-Rishq, who is involved in the Cairo talks, told AFP on Sunday that "the possibility of negotiations to succeed is weak. It is possible that the Palestinian delegation will leave to consult its leaders any minute."

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have, additionally, broken no fewer than six "humanitarian ceasefires" so far, including one bilateral agreement brokered by the UN. 

Meanwhile, rockets have continued to rain on Gaza Belt communities throughout the past several hours. The most recent volley saw two missiles hit a field near Sderot and ignite a brushfire, according to Yediot Aharonot - and the fire is currently spreading. 

Hours earlier, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would not engage in negotiations while under fire. 

"Israel will not negotiate under fire," Netanyahu stressed, at the opening to his weekly Cabinet meeting. "Israel will continue to act in any way [necessary] to change the current situation and bring peace to all its citizens. We stand together in unity and determination, until we're finished [with the campaign]."

PM: Operation to Continue Until Long - Term Quiet is Achieved
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday at the government’s meeting that, “The operation will continue until quiet is returned for a lengthy period of time. It will take time.”

“Israel does not negotiate under fire,” the PM stated.

PA Foreign Minister: We'll Take Israel to ICC for War Crimes
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki

AFP photo

The Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Saturday said his government would soon try to haul Israelis before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes.

"We will go to the ICC, and put our signature on it. Very soon we will be a (sovereign) state. That is enough for the court to start an investigation," Maliki, on a visit to Bogota, told AFP.

Maliki, who attended the inauguration on Thursday of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, said “before coming here, I was in the Hague. And I asked the ICC to start an official investigation, to see if what Israel has done in the past 33 days reaches the level of war crimes.”

Al-Maliki said last week that he inquired about the legal procedures necessary for the PA to join the ICC and sign the Rome Statute in order to take action against possible Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

He noted that the PA should now qualify for ICC membership due to its status as a UN non-member observer state.

PA officials realize, however, that joining the ICC is a calculated risk because it would give Israel a forum to pursue war crimes charges against the PA as well and particularly against Hamas.

In a recent interview, the PA's envoy to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) admitted the PA has no hope of pressing charges against Israel in international courts - because Palestinian terrorist groups are far worse violators of international law themselves.

Noting concerns that Israel could launch legal offensives of its ownagainst the PA should it sign up to the ICC, the presenter asked whether such a move would be realistic. The response was unequivocal.

"The missiles that are now being launched against Israel - each and every missile constitutes a crime against humanity, whether it hits or misses, because it is directed at civilian targets," he said.

Shurat Hadin, a non-governmental organization that operates against terrorists through the courts, has warned it would lodge 'a tsunami' of criminal complaints against senior PA officials, should the PA go through with its application to join the ICC.

Netanyahu: Israel will not Negotiate Under Fire
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Cabinet meeting

Flash 90

The IDF is continuing Operation Protective Edge, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Sunday. 

"Operation Protective Edge is continuing," the premier stated. "No one announced its termination." 

"The campaign will continue until the mission is completed: an extended period of quiet in the South," he added, referring to Hamas escalation. "We said when the operation began and throughout the process: it will take time and patience." 

Israel will also not acquiesce to international pressure, he said. 

"Israel will not negotiate under fire," Netanyahu stressed. "Israel will continue to act in any way [necessary] to change the current situation and bring peace to all its citizens. We stand together in unity and determination, until we're finished [with the campaign]." 

Earlier, the Security Cabinet met to discuss the future of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, which is now in its thirty-fourth day. During the meeting, Interior Minister Gidon Sa'ar (Likud) stressed the importance of breaking Hamas's military power. 

"It was the right thing to do then, and it's the right thing to do now," Sa'ar stated, demanding strong deterrence against the Hamas terrorist organization. 

Sa'ar also stressed that the State of Israel needs to finish the operation to allow residents of the Gaza Belt area to return to their homes. 

Earlier this week, Hof Ashkelon Regional Council Yair Farjun noted that 60% of residents in communities close to Gaza have fled their homes. 

In addition, polls in several Israeli media outlets estimated that up to 80% of Gaza Belt residents have expressed reluctance to return home following the rocket fire, and indicate diminished trust in the IDF after it withdrew guards from the communities earlier this year. 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu) also pushed for greater involvement in the operation.

"This situation cannot continue," Liberman said. "If only you had listened to what I suggested on the first day of the operation, [but] we were already past that stage."

Liberman campaigned early on in the operation, as well as for several months beforehand, to retake Gaza. Now, he said, "what is left is to defeat Hamas, clean the area and leave as quickly as possible."

"We are approaching a point where we will have to make a decision," Communications Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) said. "Even if it is the reoccupation of Gaza and toppling of Hamas, with all the factors involved, there will be no choice but to make a decision - a decision which is not that simple."

"We cannot continue to tolerate the situation for a long time or even a short time," he added. 

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has demanded Hamas's cooperation with a full cease-fire.

"If Hamas thinks it could exhaust us, it is wrong - we will return to negotiations only after the cease-fire," he said. "We will not compromise on a cease-fire and [an end to] terrorism." 

The meeting, which is still in session, will discuss whether or not to define Gaza as enemy territory - a move which would see Israel stripped of responsibility for damage to civilian areas and casualties. 

The security cabinet will also discuss the security situation in the south and nationwide, as well as two proposals - one to establish a funding and assistance program for veterans of Protective Edge, and one to launch a special rebuilding project for Gaza belt communities under heavy fire. 

As of Sunday afternoon, officials announced that the latter program - which would see 13.5 million shekel allocated to rebuild Gaza belt communities by 2016 - had been approved.

MK Saar: Hamas Military Forces in Gaza Must be Broken
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

MK Gideon Sa’ar said on Sunday morning at the start of the government’s meeting that Hamas’ military forces in Gaza must be broken.

According to Sa’ar, “It was true in the past and remains true today, in order to allow Gaza Envelope residents to return to safe living in their homes.”

Meshaal: Durable Truce Must Lead to Lifting Gaza Blockade
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Mashaal during his visit to the Islamic University in Gaza City

Reuters

A lasting truce must lead to the lifting by Israel of its blockade of the Gaza Strip, Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal told AFP in an exclusive interview in Doha on Sunday.

The 72-hour ceasefire Hamas reached with Israel on Sunday "is one of the ways or tactics to ensure successful negotiations or to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza," said Meshaal.

The final "goal we insist on is having the demands of Palestinians met and the Gaza Strip exist without a blockade".

"We insist on this goal. In the case of Israeli procrastination or continued aggression, Hamas is ready with other Palestinian factions to resist on the ground and politically and... to face all possibilities," he said.

The remarks by Meshaal, who lives in exile in Qatar, come as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators on Sunday accepted an Egyptian proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza from one minute past midnight local time

Let the Headlines Speak
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsFrom the internet
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Bangkok Post Strong magnitude 6.0 quake hits off northern Japan
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities did not issue a tsunami warning and there were no immediate reports of damage.  

Fighters abandoning al-Qaeda affiliates to join Islamic State, U.S. officials say
U.S. spy agencies have begun to see groups of fighters abandoning al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen and Africa to join the rival Islamist organization that has seized territory in Iraq and Syria... The movements are seen...as a worrisome indication of the expanding appeal of a group known as the Islamic State that has overwhelmed military forces in the region and may now see itself in direct conflict with the United States.  

De-Dollarization Accelerates - China/Russia Complete Currency Swap Agreement
The last 3 months have seen Russia's "de-dollarization" plans accelerate. First Gazprom clients shift to Euros and Renminbi, then the UK signs currency swap agreements with China, then NATO ally Turkey cuts ties and mulls de-dollarization, Switzerland jumps in the currency swap agreements, and BRICS create their own non-US-based funding vehicle, and then finally this week, Russia's oligarchs have shifted cash holdings to Hong Kong.  

Russia Forces US Submarine Out of Boundary Waters
Russia's Northern Fleet's anti-submarine forces have detected and forced out a US submarine from Russian boundary waters, a high-ranking source in Russia's Navy told RIA Novosti Saturday. "On August 7, 2014, the patrol forces of the Northern Fleet detected a foreign submarine, supposedly a US Navy Virginia-class one, in the Barents Sea.  

Gaza conflict: Fresh fears for ceasefire talks in Cairo
Talks in Cairo aimed at securing a fresh ceasefire in Gaza are under renewed strain, with both sides in the conflict issuing warnings. Palestinian negotiators said they would leave on Sunday if Israel did not attend without preconditions. Israel says it will not negotiate "under fire", warning its military campaign "will take time".  

Ebola virus: Liberia health system 'falling apart'
The charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) has told the BBC that Liberia's medical services have been completely overwhelmed by the Ebola outbreak. The MSF co-ordinator in Liberia said official figures were "under-representing the reality", and that the health system was "falling apart". Nearly 1,000 people have died and 1,800 have become infected in West Africa.  

Ex-hurricane Bertha brings high winds and rain across UK
Heavy rain and winds are hitting England and Wales as remnants of what was Hurricane Bertha cross the country. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for most of the UK, and is urging people to be aware of flooding, strong winds and large waves. The storms starting in the south and west are expected to head north-east and hit Scotland later on Sunday.  

Netanyahu: Gaza operation continues, Israel will not negotiate under fire
Operation Protective Edge will continue until quiet is returned, and Israel will not negotiate under fire, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday in Tel Aviv. “I said at the beginning of the campaign that it will take time, and patience is needed,” Netanyahu said...  

Jordan's Abdullah: Israel must be held accountable for what is happening in Gaza
Jordanian King Abdullah harshly criticized Israel's Operation Protective Edge on Sunday, saying that the Jewish state bears the primary responsibility for hostilities and that the whole world must act now to end the "occupation." ...Abdullah said the Arab countries and the international community must hold Israel accountable for what it was doing in Gaza.  

Typhoon Halong triggers evacuation orders in Japan
More than one million people have been told to evacuate their homes as a powerful typhoon hit south-west Japan. Typhoon Halong made landfall near Aki, Kochi prefecture, at around 06:00 (21:00 GMT Saturday), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.  

Venezuela to close Colombia border each night
Venezuela says it will close its border with Colombia at night from Monday, to try to stop large-scale smuggling of petrol and food. The government says that tonnes of goods - produced in Venezuela and heavily subsidised - are sold in Colombia at much higher prices.  

Egypt court bans Muslim Brotherhood's political wing
A court in Egypt has dissolved the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing. The ruling will effectively prevent the banned Islamist movement from formally participating in parliamentary elections expected later this year. The government declared the Brotherhood a terrorist group in December.  

Hamas plays dangerous poker game in Cairo
Limited skirmishes or a new round of killing? Friday's resumption of hostilities may see Hamas overplay its hand in a dangerous poker game that could plunge Gaza back into chaos, analysts said.  

US launches 4 airstrikes against Iraqi militants
The U.S. military says American jet fighters and drones have conducted four more airstrikes on Islamic militants in Iraq, taking out armored carriers and a truck that were firing on civilians.  

Kurdish pleas for weapons may finally be heard
For years, Kurdish officials have beseeched the Obama administration to let them buy U.S. weapons. For just as long, the administration has rebuffed America's closest allies in Iraq.  

McCain says U.S. airstrikes in Iraq can't stop Islamic State
Republican U.S. Senator John McCain said on Saturday that President Barack Obama's limited military action against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq showed a "fundamental misunderstanding of the threat," and called for strikes against the group's positions in Syria, The New York Times reported.  

Women stoned to death in Syria for adultery
A cleric read the verdict before the truck came and dumped a large pile of stones near the municipal garden. Jihadi fighters then brought in the woman, clad head to toe in black, and put her in a small hole in the ground. When residents gathered, the fighters told them to carry out the sentence: Stoning to death for the alleged adulteress.  

Kurds Begin Reversing Losses to ISIS in Northern Iraq
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsDebkafile
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Islamic Jihad Leader: Negotiations on the Verge of Collapse
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

A senior member of the Islamic Jihad reported on Sunday morning that talks with Israel have failed due to a lack of response to a number of conditions.

Israel has yet to comment on the matter.

ISIS Flags Flown in Israeli - Arab Cities
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

ISIS in Iraq with flag (file)

Reuters

As the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) continues its bloody conquest of Iraq and Syria and begins invading Lebanon, all in the name of establishing a global Sunni Muslim caliphate system, signs of support for the extremist are being seen among Israel's Arab citizens.

Channel 10 exposed on Sunday that in recent months black ISIS flags have been commonly seen in Arab-Israeli towns in northern and coastal Israel, notably in the cities of Nazareth and Akko.

The flags have been seen flying among both Muslim and Christian Arab citizens of Israel, an ironic move given that ISIS in Iraq has emptied cities of their Christian populations by issuing them an ultimatum either to convert to Islam, pay non-Muslim jhizya taxes - or die.

In response to the widespread photos of ISIS flags flying in Nazareth, Ali Salem, mayor of the city, claimed "there are no things like that in Nazareth, and whoever sends (photos) is a deceiver and liar."

The report also exposed a wide-reaching trend on Facebook, in which Arab-Israeli youths take pictures of themselves bearing ISIS flags, sometimes wearing the flags draped around their shoulders.

More evidence of the growing ISIS support among Arab citizens of Israel was presented in video footage of an Arab protest in Akko's Old City, in which protesters could be seen waving large black ISIS flags in the Israeli city.

ISIS has rapidly expanded its strength since launching a blitz offensive in Iraq in June, and later declaring itself a caliphate.

It has captured numerous weapons in Iraq, including a long-range Scud missile which it transferred to Syria, and which a member of the group threatened is "heading towards Israel."

A video uploaded by the group in July revealed that ISIS terrorists are active in Gaza as well, firing rockets on Israeli civilian centers in cooperation with the Hamas terrorist organization.

The extremist group has been enjoying wide support, including a pro-ISIS anti-Semitic demonstration in Holland. Meanwhile in response to ISIS's rapid expansion, the US last Friday launched its first strikes on the group, in what was defined as "limited airstrikes."

US President Barack Obama was careful to emphasize he would not authorize further military action, such as troop deployment.

Iraq's PM: I will not Resign
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki made clear on Sunday night that he has no intention to resign and that he plans to run for a third term in office.

In a televised speech Maliki accused the new president of violating the constitution.

IAF Eliminates Hamas Terrorist
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The Israeli Air Force on Sunday night eliminated Faraj Abu Rabia, a Hamas tunnel operator in northern Gaza.

The elimination was carried out before the ceasefire began at midnight.

Hamas Reveals Enmity to Egypt, Arab League
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Hamas "victory rally" in Gaza (file)

Reuters

A senior Hamas source has revealed the terrorist group's antagonism both towards Egypt's mediation in truce talks regarding the ongoing conflict with Israel, as well as towards the Arab League.

The source, Mustafa Sawaf, is considered a close confidant of the Hamas leadership. He advised the Palestinian negotiation team in Cairo, which is comprised of Hamas and Palestinian Authority (PA) members, to go home immediately.

Sawaf recommend the team not to agree to Egyptian involvement, defining the Egyptian intermediary as "the basic delaying source preventing an agreement."

An alternate intermediary should be sought out, wrote Sawaf on his Facebook page, recommending a third-party that would bring to fruition the Hamas demands, and open the Erez and Rafah Crossings to Israel and the Sinai.

Sawaf likewise advised the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil El-Araby not to make a solidarity visit to Gaza accompanied by a delegation of Arab foreign ministers.

"El-Araby will not be received warmly, and Gaza residents will hit him and his delegation," threatened Sawaf.

Explaining the enmity to the apparent show of solidarity, Sawaf said Arab residents of Gaza view the Arab League as "partners to the slaughter," in an accusation of support for Israel's counter-terror Operation Protective Edge; Sawaf did not provide examples of such support.

Perhaps partially explaining the response are El-Araby's statements late last month, in which he called on Hamas to accept an Egyptian-brokered truce and agree to a ceasefire ending its attacks via rocket fire and terror tunnels.

"No concessions on any demands"

The negotiations in Cairo attempting to forge a truce between Israel and Hamas appear on the brink of collapse, as the terror group is refusing to curtail its demands, and renewed rocket fire has reportedly put talks on hold.

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum declared on Saturday, a day after the 72-hour ceasefire ended and Hamas promptly returned to firing rockets on Israeli civilian centers, that "there's no going back, and the struggle will continue at full power."

In terms of the negotiations, Barhoum stated "there won't be a concession on any demand." At the same time, the Hamas spokesperson said "Israeli stubbornness won't help it at all," and that talks will not continue forever.

The demands that Hamas is unwilling to compromise on include various threats to Israel's security, such as an airport in Gaza, a Gaza sea port, open border crossings and terrorist releases.

At least as far as the border crossings are concerned, it appears that moves are being made to skirt Israel and have a direct agreement between Hamas and Egypt on the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Sinai.

A Palestinian source involved in the Cairo negotiations revealed on condition of anonymity that Egypt has reached a draft agreement with Hamas and the PA. The draft would have Egypt open the Rafah crossing, putting it under PA and not Hamas control.

However, following the renewed rocket fire by Hamas on Friday, Israeli officials stated negotiations would not continue until the rockets halted. A senior member of the Hamas and PA negotiating team told AFP they had given Israel until Sunday at 1 p.m. to return to negotiations before they would leave Cairo.

Likewise, Hamas deputy leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said Saturday "the coming 24 hours will seal the fate of the entire negotiations. We aren't interested in an escalation, but we don't accept that there is no response to our demands."

Hamas Fires Rocket Barrage Moments Before Ceasefire
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Rocket barrage from Gaza

Reuters

Hamas terrorists fired a barrage of rockets towards Israel, including Tel Aviv, just before midnight on Sunday night, when a new 72-hour ceasefire went into effect.

Just before midnight, residents of the Gush Dan region in central Israel reported hearing a loud explosion. Hamas later claimed it fired a long-range missile towards Tel Aviv.

Officials confirmed that a rocket indeed exploded in an open region, causing no physical injuries or damages.

Earlier, five rockets exploded in a community outside the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no physical injuries or damages.

As well, the Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted two rockets over the city of Kiryat Malachi.

Two rockets were intercepted over Ashdod and another one was intercepted over the Merhavim Regional Council.

There were no physical injuries in any of the attacks.

Israel confirmed earlier Sunday evening that the 72-hour truce will go into effect at midnight. According to Channel 2, the Israeli delegation will head to Cairo for talks Monday morning, if the fire from Gaza does indeed cease and the night is a quiet one.

Hamas played a double game Sunday, with its negotiators reportedly agreeing to a ceasefire in Cairo, and its terrorists in Gaza launching missiles at Israel. Israel insists that it will not negotiate under fire, but Hamas appeared to be trying to make it do so anyway.

Egypt Reportedly Trying to Give Abbas Power in Gaza
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Mahmoud Abbas

Flash 90

A senior diplomatic source familiar with the details of truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Cairo said Sunday morning that Egypt, which is acting as intermediary, is trying to strengthen Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the talks.

The source, who spoke to Walla! on condition of anonymity, said Egypt's goal in the negotiations is to strengthen Abbas's position, and to negate the honor and esteem Hamas is likely to gain in the Arab world as a result of confronting Israel directly and holding out in an extended conflict.

The agreement Egypt is advancing according to the source would demand that Hamas and other Palestinian movements "recognize being in the second row, whereas Abu Mazen (Abbas - ed.), being as he is supported by Egypt, is the general Palestinian leader who will lead the reconstruction of Gaza."

Abbas's Fatah signed a unity agreement with Hamas and created a unity government in June, although that unity government admittedly has no power in Gaza.

Apparently Egypt is trying to change that status; a Palestinian source involved in the negotiations disclosed last week that Egypt reached a draft agreement whereby Egypt would open the Rafah crossing to Sinai, putting it under PA and not Hamas control. The agreement would not involve Israel.

Perhaps indicating Egypt's favoritism towards Abbas, senior Hamas source Mustafa Sawaf, who is considered a close confidant of the Hamas leadership, called Saturday for Egypt to be replaced by another intermediary.

Sawaf called the Egyptian intermediary "the basic delaying source preventing an agreement." He proposed finding a third-party that would bring to fruition the Hamas demands, and open the Erez and Rafah Crossings to Israel and the Sinai.

Likewise, senior Hamas official Ezzat al-Rishq, who is involved in the Cairo talks, told AFP on Sunday that "the possibility of negotiations to succeed is weak. It is possible that the Palestinian delegation will leave to consult its leaders any minute."

Egypt has held an antagonistic stance towards Hamas given the terror group's connections with the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization Egypt's military-backed government has been cracking down on.

It is worth noting that despite the reports of Egyptian preference for Abbas over Hamas, Abbas has threatened Israel with diplomatic warfare over the counter-terror operation in Gaza. Abbas's Fatah faction has called for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Israel, and declared "open war" on Israel late last month.

Another detail of the negotiations in Cairo was revealed by the diplomatic source to Walla!. He stated that despite Israel's insistence that it will not continue negotiations until the Hamas rocket fire restarted last Friday is halted, Israel in fact is continuing to coordinate with Egypt.

Cairo: Palestinians Accept Further 72 - Hour Truce While Firing Rockets
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsDebkafile
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Informed sources in Cairo reported Sunday that the Palestinian delegation, including Hamas envoys, had agreed to a further truce, the seventh, for another 72 hours, and are awaiting Israel’s response. For now, Palestinian rockets continued to explode in the Ashkelon area and the environs of the Gaza Strip. Israel wants to know if Hamas has set pre-conditions for the new ceasefire before deciding whether to reciprocate.

Bennett: Mission not Accomplished
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Jewish Home Chairman, Economics Minister Naftali Bennett, said Sunday that Israel prefers the security of its citizens to international approval of its actions.

America Hits 4 ISIS Hotspots in Iraq
Aug 10th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The American army reported on Saturday night that it launched aerial attacks against four ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Levant) hotspots in Iraq, including a truck which was shooting at a civilian population

US President Barack Obama proclaimed on Saturday that the United States will continue to provide military and humanitarian aid to Iraqi and Kurdish defense forces.

A daily prayer: even so come, Lord Jesus
Aug 10th, 2014
Thought For The WeekA. W. Tozer
Categories: Commentary;Exhortation

The people of God ought to be the happiest people in all the wide worldl!

Fellow Christian, consider the source of our joy and delight: redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, our yesterdays behind us, our sin under the blood forever and a day, to be remembered against us no more forever!

God is our Father, Christ is our Brother, the Holy Ghost our Advocate and Comforter!

Our Brother has gone to the Father's house to prepare a place for us, leaving with us the promise that He will come again!

Don't send Moses, Lord, don't send Moses! He broke the tables of stone.

Don't send Elijah for me, Lord! He is so learned that I feel like a little child when I read his epistles.

O Lord Jesus, come yourself! I am not afraid of Thee. You took the little children as lambs to your fold. You forgave the woman taken in adultery. You healed the timid woman who reached out in the crowd to touch You. We are not afraid of You!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)