Push for a ceasefire in Gaza
Terra Ciolfe
Issue date: 1/6/09 Section: News
Media outlets across the globe have recently been consumed with the outbreak of cyclical violence in the Gaza strip within Israel. Attacks have been mounted from both sides - the Israeli government and Hamas, the paramilitary Palestinian leaders of Gaza - and tensions are continuing to rise.
There have been mass protests in many major cities with people making their voices heard and increasing international pressure for a monitored ceasefire. However, no clear progress has been made. Both parties are reluctant to take part in any form of ceasefire or negotiations until the other disarms and discontinues attacks.
"The conflict must end once and for all," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in a press release from the emergency Security Council meeting held on New Year's Eve.
The Security Council has recently had more meetings regarding the situation on the ground that have failed to be successful. All agreed that action must be taken, but there has been no agreement as to what tactics to take. Recently, the United States has blocked any Security Council response on the grounds of regarding Hamas as launching terrorist activities.
Both parties have accused the other of initiating attacks which has sent the territories spiralling downwards. Rockets have come from Gaza into the southern Israeli communities, while some say that Israel has launched disproportionate missile attacks back and closed the crossings where the main food and fuel is supplied.
Israel and Hamas signed an Egypt monitored ceasefire on June 19, 2008 in an attempt to mend violence that had erupted earlier in the year. However, it was only for six months and on Dec. 19, 2008, Hamas released a statement which officially declared an end to the ceasefire.
The recent outbreak has been spurred by both sides claiming that the other has not been faithful to the conditions outlined in the agreement.
There have been mass protests in many major cities with people making their voices heard and increasing international pressure for a monitored ceasefire. However, no clear progress has been made. Both parties are reluctant to take part in any form of ceasefire or negotiations until the other disarms and discontinues attacks.
"The conflict must end once and for all," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in a press release from the emergency Security Council meeting held on New Year's Eve.
The Security Council has recently had more meetings regarding the situation on the ground that have failed to be successful. All agreed that action must be taken, but there has been no agreement as to what tactics to take. Recently, the United States has blocked any Security Council response on the grounds of regarding Hamas as launching terrorist activities.
Both parties have accused the other of initiating attacks which has sent the territories spiralling downwards. Rockets have come from Gaza into the southern Israeli communities, while some say that Israel has launched disproportionate missile attacks back and closed the crossings where the main food and fuel is supplied.
Israel and Hamas signed an Egypt monitored ceasefire on June 19, 2008 in an attempt to mend violence that had erupted earlier in the year. However, it was only for six months and on Dec. 19, 2008, Hamas released a statement which officially declared an end to the ceasefire.
The recent outbreak has been spurred by both sides claiming that the other has not been faithful to the conditions outlined in the agreement.
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