ISRAEL NEWS AUG 08

1 Aug 08 ISRAEL-SYRIA are close to agreement on the broad outline of a peace deal. When completed, details need to be discussed in direct talks. PRESIDENT Assad heads to Iran for talks this weekend. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331165943&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull PM Olmert's Chief of Staff resigns. CLARIFICATION of the Israeli political situation would be needed before proceeding further.

2 Aug 08 THE various Gaza resistance groups are to meet in the next few days to discuss the future of the ceasefire and the Gilad Shalit talks. The talks have been largely frozen for nearly four weeks. Hamas is now calling for a freeze in talks until Israel gets a new government. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331171698&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull ISRAEL'S Security Cabinet will convene to discuss Gaza and Israel's response to the Palestinian conclusions. ISRAEL now on alert as heavy fighting breaks out in Gaza between Fatah and Hamas. http://www.gantdaily.com/news/36/ARTICLE/27169/2008-08-02.html HAMAS shells fleeing Fatah personnel at Israel border crossing. Three shells land in Israel. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5484

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3 Aug 08 ISRAELI Cabinet agrees to free five persons to complete Hezbullah swap. SENIOR aid to Syrian Leader Assad assassinated. THIRTY-FOUR Fatah people returned to Gaza by Palestinian Authority as unwanted. HAMAS completes full takeover of Gaza as violence deepens rift with Fatah. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/03/content_8931404.htm THE New Moon was observed last night, making today the first day of the fifth month.

4 Aug 08 ISRAELI Armored Corps ready for Hizbullah. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3577364,00.html STATEMENT by IDF that they know where Shalit is being held, seems to be an effort to provoke his holders to move him, so that his location can be discovered. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331191150&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

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5 Aug 08 LEBANON expected to pass law giving Hezbullah the right to bear and use arms in defiance of UNSC Resolution 1701. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Hizbollah-Rocket-Attacks-Lebanon-To-Bring-In-New-Law-Making-Targeting-Israel-Legal/Article/200808115071208

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THE Pentagon has been ordered to speed up preparations for an Iran attack and to be ready by the first of Sep. IN my opinion, the infighting over an Iran attack in the US Administration is just disinformation. http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2008/3531cheney_war_iran.html ISRAEL threaens to resume attacks on Gaza. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZwhV6G4fDwYPHOhrolJH3jL93sA

6 Aug 08 HAMAS refuses to open Shalit talks until Israel opens borders. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/06/content_8995287.htm ISRAEL releases five teens imprisoned for throwing stones, to complete Hezbullah swap deal. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iK--24S8o70mCwa9Hyvm8VMd9-pgD92CN9DO2 ISRAEL agrees to release 150 prisoners to PA President Abbas in Aug. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hiMtXRCoKcFRI_nOPf6boLEW3GyA GEN PETRAEUSmakes surprise trip to Lebanon. He is expected to wrap up preparations in Iraq for the Iran war and to take full command of CENTCOM during the first week of Sep. ISRAEL releases three Hamas politicians in possible attempt to expedite talks on Gilad Shalit. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331214247&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull RUSSIA and China resist further sanctions on Iran, creating possible long term delays. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331212229&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

7 Aug 08 IT is being reported that the USS Roosevelt and the USS Reagan Carrier Strike Groups are now headed for waters off Iran. I would add that these ships sailed a week ago and could arrive within the next two weeks. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218104233164&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull THE European Union preparing to act as Middle East mediator. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218104234178&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull ISRAEL allows slightly more cargo into Gaza. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/07/content_9024699.htm ISRAELI Defense Minister declares that Israel will settle for nothing less than complete victory this time. PAKISTAN'S Parliament agrees to begin impeachment proceedings against President Musharraf next week. He cancels trip to Beijing. ISRAEL conducts High Intensity national air defense drill yesterday. GAZA militants give truce until Aug 28 to get what they want and promise to launch military action after that. http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL7323673.html

8 Aug 08 GEORGIA invades breakaway province of South Ossetia after several days of border clashes. Russia bombs Georgia and moves into South Ossetia. http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=1358 The fight is over the South Ossetia declaration of Independence from Georgia, the Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan pipeline and NATO's attempted expansion into Georgia to threaten the Caucasus oil fields and Russia. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3579706,00.html ISRAEL desperately seeking the location of Shalit. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3579626,00.html

9 Aug 08 THE US moves to condemn Russia for fulfilling it's mandate to keep the peace and protect the citizens of South Ossetia from the Georgia invasion. PROVINCE of Abkhazia now rises up, to defend itself against Georgian invasion and occupation. GEORGIAN Parliament passes 15 day state of war and martial law act. RUSSIAN peacekeepers driving NATO trained Georgian invaders out of South Ossetia as Americans prepare to evacuate their bases in Georgia. IS this the trade-off for Russia standing back and allowing regime change in Iran? Will Russia be allowed to force Georgia into letting South Ossetia and Abkhazia go? Remember; it is deeds, not words that really matter in the end. Watch the events and don't just accept words. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3579800,00.html A LIST of ships bound for Iran. NOTE: this list does NOT INCLUDE those vessels which completed Exercise RIMPAC 08 in the Pacific on 31 July, many of which are also headed for Iran. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Massive-US-Naval-Armada-He-by-Lord-Stirling-080808-541.html DEBKA analysis of Georgia fighting. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5498 I wouldn't be surprised if this had all been agreed between Washington and Moscow beforehand. THE USS Kitty Hawk arrives in San Diego. http://www.kittyhawk.navy.mil/phod/phod.html SHE will exchange crews with the USS George Washington. The GW will then pick up the KH's Air Wing in Hawaii before continuing West. DEMANDS for Shalit, set in stone. ROCKET fired from Gaza today. http://www.imemc.org/article/56462 HAMAS may be planning demonstration at Egyptian border tomorrow. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218104249815&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull

10 Aug 08 US Congress begins thirty day summer recess. GEORGIAN invaders driven from South Ossetia capitol. RUSSIA appears to be preparing to invade Georgia. ISRAEL cancels arms deliveries to Georgia. GAZA Prime Minister officially states, Shalit demands are non-negotiable. http://www.imemc.org/article/56466 RUSSIA bombs Tblisi military airport. Georgia declares ceasefire. Russia says, no ceasefire until Georgian forces leave South Ossetia. Many Georgian forces now fleeing. BACKGROUND: When the USSR broke up, South Ossetia and Abkazia declared independence in the early 90's, which was approved overwhelmingly by referendum. The US is backing Georgia's claim to the two breakaway provinces to keep the Baku-Tbilsi-Ceyhan pipeline out of the Russian sphere of influence. NATO through the US has been building Georgia's military. Various border clashes have taken place over the years and Russia sent peace keepers as part of an international effort. Georgia declared a ceasefire on the border clashes on 7 Aug and hours later launched a full scale invasion of South Ossetia. It is rumored that they did so at the suggestion of the United States, as Georgia would never challenge the overwhelming might of Russia without backing. Russia is now determined to reach a permanent solution to the situation. I expect that Georgia was induced to attack to provide Russia an excuse to solve the problem as a quid quo pro for Russian acquiescence to the impending US Iran action. Pacification and control of Iran and the Persian Gulf in exchange for Russian control of the Ceyhan pipeline. This would mean Peace in the Middle East for Israel and the US; and Peace in the Caucasus for Russia. PAKISTAN kills 100 Taliban near Afghan border.

11 Aug 08 THE Western Armada is expected to reach Iran by next week. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5499 HERE is a good analysis of the Georgia situation with some good maps and background. THESE people conclude that the incident was meant to cause a US Russia confrontation. This conclusion is untenable since the US does not need a crises with Russia and Iran at the same time. I will stick to my conclusions. OTHER than a faulty conclusion, this article is very informative. http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9788 SENIOR Israeli politicans to meet today to discuss; Shalit talks, the future of the ceasefire and the prisoners to be released to PA President Abbas later this month. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1010221.html GEORGIAN forces in Abkhazia surrender. GEORGIAN forces withdraw to capitol abandoning the country. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5500 RUSSIA declares Georgian President a war criminal for launching a war of aggression and shelling the capitol city of South Ossetia residential districts. http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=112727&d=12&m=8&y=2008 PRESIDENT Bush demands that the Russians stop, after they have already achieved their objectives. VERY convenient for Russia that Pres Bush is so patient.

12 Aug 08 PAKISTAN kills the commander of aL Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5504 RUSSIA halts military operations concerning Georgia. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5503 EU President Sarkozy to mediate ceasefire. US mid air refueling tankers now massing in the Persian Gulf region. http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/08/12/abkhazia_ossetia_and_iran_risks_of_spreading_conflicts/3505/

ISRAEL closes Gaza border today after one missile strikes Sderot on Monday. ISRAEL proposes to add land from the Negev to Gaza in exchange for West Bank settlements, after Hamas is replaced as Gaza government. ISRAELI forces begin yet another, large military exercise on the Golan.

13 Aug 08 TENSIONS build around Israeli military exercise on the Golan. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218446181703&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull ISRAELI attempts to project the idea of divisions in their government are now approaching the ridiculous, with Cabinet Ministers publicly insulting one another. SITUATION in Georgia chaotic as both sides agree to principles of a ceasefire. RUSSIA is "evacuating" abandoned Georgian military equipment (most of this is American supplied weapons). LEBANESE Druze intimidated into cooperating with Hezbullah, granting Hezbullah access to Mt Chouf. This would be the third peak in Lebanon to have a new air defense system set up. PRESIDENT Bush demands that Russia keep it's promises and sends Rice to the region, also sends medical supplies. HE makes veiled threat that Russia's membership in the G8 might be in jeapardy if Russia breaks promises. Of course such a threat would not be backed by other members, due to Europe's dependence on Russian gas. HAMAS ready for end of ceasefire. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/13/content_9261411.htm

14 Aug 08 SHALIT talks update. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3582582,00.html NAVAL commander of US airbourne nuclear weapons is dismissed. RUSSIAN leaders hold summit with the Presidents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

15 Aug 08 AFTER the EU negotiated a ceasefire in Georgia, Sec Rice is arriving there to negotiate a full truce. She has the power to force Georgia to accept the conditions agreed by the US and Russia. THE US and Poland have agreed to a missile defense system in Poland. ANOTHER missile strikes Israel from Gaza today. FOUR hundred and sixty militants killed by Pakistani forces with the loss of twenty-two persons. 1500 EST: RUSSIA and Georgia sign formal ceasefire. RUSSIA to withdraw forces from Georgia proper, will be allowed to maintain security patrols in Georgian territory. NEUTRAL Peace Keepers to be brought in soon. SOUTH Ossetia and Abkhazia no longer subject to Georgian authority. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=55 16Aug 08 RUSSIA and the US begin taking steps to cool rhetoric and calm relations. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5511 RUSSIA signs ceasefire agreement, which has no implementation date. This allows them to continue removing the massive amounts of arms in the area. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710373896&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull RUSSIA moves to gain control of Asian gas supplies. http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9853 BBC REPORTS: GEORGIA has been forced to agree to a 10 K (6 mile) demilitarized buffer zone around Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This is a part of the ceasefire deal and seals the loss of those territories. RUSSIAN forces will remain in Georgia until neutral peace keepers arrive. GAZA militants building missiles to threaten Israel's petroleum industry. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/127198

17 Aug 08 RUSSIA to begin withdrawing from Georgia proper on Monday. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3583750,00.html MISSILE fired from Gaza as Israel announces opening of one more border crossing.

18 Aug 08 PERVEZ MUSHARRAF RESIGNS AS PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN. SOUTH Ossetia requests permanent Russian military base. IRAN satellite launch comes amidst warnings of imminent war. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5516

19 Aug 08 A proposal for Egyptian forces to enter Gaza to guarentee the peace between Hamas and Fatah, thus allowing for a reconcillation between them has been rejected by the parties.http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710403749&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull EMERGENCY NATO meeting has reached agreement on sending twenty observers into Georgia. RUSSIA is involved in a gradual withdrawal, as they wait for security forces to arrive. The level of language between Russia and the US is still very high and makes one wonder if something is unraveling. Did Russia go too far in entering Georgia proper and demolishing their military? Will the attack on Iran end up being too overwhelming for Russian tastes? There is the possibility that these events could result in a very serious international, possibly nuclear, crisis. ADDRESSING Israel's Home Front Command PM Olmert declares that Israel will go ""all out" in the next war. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3584938,00.html ISRAEL holds live fire exercise on the Golan. THE USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is now in the Indian Ocean. ANOTHER missile strike from Gaza results in border closure for Wed.

20 Aug 08 KADIMA suspends leadership primary to reconsider leadership vote, due to irregularities. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710410182&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull MILITANTS continue to hold exercises in Gaza preparing for expected end of ceasefire. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218596254&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Syrian President Assad in Moscow pledges support for Russia over Moscow and speaks of closer military ties to Russia. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218598194&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull UN Security Council discussing Georgia resolution.

21 Aug 08 USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group sailed from San Diego yesterday for the far West Pacific. USS CSG Ronald Reagan entered the Fifth Fleet, roughly the Indian Ocean between India and Africa. SYRIA agrees to a permanent Russian Naval base at Tartus and is expected to accept a new Russian missile system. THE Russian Fleet has now sailed for Syria. http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5526 IF war does break out, the presence of the nuclear armed Russian and American Fleets so close together, could definitely become a problem. ISRAEL threatens to murder all the leaders of Hamas if no progress on Shalit. This would, of course, ignite a general war. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218607183&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3585778,00.html HAMAS informs Egypt that they will freeze Shalit talks with Egypt until Israel responds to their non-negotable position on terms of an exchange. Until now, Hamas has been talking to Egypt while awaiting an Israeli response. Israel has said that Hamas demands were so extreme that they would not even be discussed in Cabinet and was pressuring Egypt to get some drawback from Hamas. http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/9343.htm