Israel

July 10, 2007 -- ATLANTA…The collapse of the Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) last month following the takeover of Gaza by Hamas has left the Palestinian territories in crisis.

The United States and larger international community are contemplating a "West Bank First" strategy to bolster the position of President Abbas' Fatah party and the emergency government he assembled in the West Bank, which does not include any Hamas members.    » read more »

27 June 2007 -- Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the absolute priority in the Middle East is reaching a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr. Blair is expected to be named an envoy to the region on behalf of Quartet of Middle East mediators.

Making his last appearance as prime minister before the House of Commons, Mr. Blair said he believes it is possible to achieve a two-state solution but that it will require "a huge intensity of focus and work."    » read more »

Latest report on ICRC activities in the field; First group of critically injured patients evacuated to Israeli hospitals

19-06-2007 -- Today the ICRC helped to evacuate six critically injured patients from Gaza to hospitals in Israel for urgently needed treatment not available in Gaza. So far the ICRC has identified about 50 other injured patients who may have to be evacuated in the near future.    » read more »

June 19, 2007 -- Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today in welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to the Capitol:

“We welcome the Prime Minister to the Capitol and we express our commitment to support the state of Israel – the same commitment we have made for nearly 60 years. As the Middle East explodes in violence, Israel is again caught in the middle.    » read more »

Leaders also pledge support for Palestinian leader Abbas, aid shipments

19 June 2007 -- Washington -- The United States and Israel support the creation of a Palestinian state that would live side by side in peace with Israel, President Bush says.

Speaking to reporters prior to a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert June 19, Bush said their countries share "a common vision, a vision that speaks to hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people, and a vision that speaks to the security of Israel."    » read more »

June 19, 2007 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, thanks for coming. I've been looking forward to this visit. Last time we were together we had a long and serious discussion about what we can do together to keep the peace.

This visit comes, obviously, during a period of great concern for the world about what's taking place in Gaza, and so it's a timely visit. I'm looking forward to our discussions about how we can promote a common vision, a vision that speaks to hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people, and a vision that speaks to the security of Israel.    » read more »

U.S. supports new Abbas government, pledges $40 million in new aid

18 June 2007 -- Washington -- The United States is lifting financial and diplomatic restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and will donate $40 million to U.N. programs serving the Palestinian Territories, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says.

“We intend to lift our financial restrictions on the Palestinian government, which has accepted previous agreements with Israel and rejects the path of violence,” Rice said June 18.    » read more »

Latest report on ICRC activities in the field; Medical facilities overwhelmed with patients wounded in the fighting

The large-scale clashes of the past week in Gaza have ceased and a certain calm has returned although there are still sporadic incidents of gunfire. In Gaza City, cars and pedestrians are circulating in the streets once again, and shops have started to reopen. All access points into and out of the Gaza Strip are closed.    » read more »

Latest report on ICRC activities in the field; Situation remains very tense

Over the past few days fighting has erupted at various times in all sectors of the Gaza Strip. In Gaza City, clashes were continuing in some locations on 14 June, including the area around Shifa Hospital and around Al Quds Hospital, run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society. In the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, heavy fighting was reported late on 13 June, with militants occupying positions at European Hospital and Nassar Hospital.    » read more »

Fatah, Hamas Responsible for Civilians in Their Custody

(New York, June 16, 2007) – The two rival Palestinian political factions, Fatah and Hamas, should treat civilians in their custody humanely, and ensure that no further summary executions take place, Human Rights Watch said today.    » read more »

Anniversary Of 1967 Arab-Israeli War

5 June 2007 -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

On this day, the Secretary-General remembers the men, women and children who have been killed or had their lives shattered by the tragedies of conflict in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinians, who continue to live under an occupation that has lasted 40 years.    » read more »

Latest report on ICRC activities in the field

30-05-2007 -- General situation

Between 10 and 19 May, continuous and often intense clashes between Palestinian factions left over 50 people dead. An estimated 200 to 400 were wounded, including many bystanders. A ceasefire brokered by the Egyptian government took effect on the afternoon of 19 May. There have been isolated incidents since then, however, and the situation remains tense. Roadblocks have been placed around strategically sensitive areas in Gaza City.    » read more »

07 May 2007 -- Israeli aircraft have attacked a car in the Gaza Strip that Israeli military authorities say was carrying Palestinian militants planning to launch rockets against southern Israel. One militant was reported wounded in the attack that followed a warning from Israel's Defense Minister that Israel would not tolerate continuing rocket attacks. VOA's Jim Teeple has more from our Jerusalem bureau.

The Israeli strike followed a recent spike in rocket attacks by Palestinian militants against Sderot, the nearest Israeli town to the Gaza border.    » read more »

4 May 2007 -- The Carter Center is reinvigorating its presence in the Palestinian Territories in support of peace for Israel, justice for the Palestinians, and the emergence of a viable, democratic Palestinian state.    » read more »

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Briefs Council

While the long-stalled Middle East peace process was beginning to stir, with both Israel and Arab States showing interest in holding talks, the top United Nations political official told the Security Council today that forward momentum could be threatened in the wake of the sharp escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence in the West Bank and Gaza.    » read more »