- Israel has refused to participate in the truce talks to be conducted in Cairo on the grounds that Hamas has been violating the norms of previous truce talks and is planning on scaling back itself after it destroys all the Hamas tunnels leading to Israel.
- Even during the onslaught 5 years ago, Israel unilaterally pulled back its troops. By doing so, it is not bound to terms of negotiations over new border arrangements for Gaza.
- The attack has killed more than 1650 Palestinians and wounded 8000 others, while Israel has lost 63 soldiers and 3 civilians.
- There has been mounting protests worldwide against Israel’s attack on Gaza. Demonstrations were held outside Israeli Embassy in London.
- Many Brits are also outraged of their country’s continued support to Israel and also over their Prime Minister’s condemning the killing of 3 Israeli teenagers but remaining mum on the death of thousands in Gaza.
- A video depicting the suffering of children in Gaza went viral online and aggravated the protests.
- Even doctors and scientists called on their colleagues to denounce Israeli aggression and have challenged the propaganda that justifies creation of an emergency to camouflage a massacre.
- Even the British media was criticized over its lack of coverage and provision of sufficient background of the sufferings in Gaza post the crippling land and sea blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt and its lack of coverage of the present military occupation of Israel.
- Meanwhile, US Congress approved bill for a $225 million fund for Israel’s missile defence system, the Iron Dome, which is responsible for shooting down dozens of rockets fired by Hamas. The Bill now awaits Obama’s signature.
- Obama has reiterated his support to Israel’s right to self-defence and has also urged greater protection for Palestine civilians.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/israel-refuses-to-attend-cairo-meet/article6276081.ece
- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/outrage-at-israeli-blitz-grows-in-uk/article6275981.ece
- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/us-rushes-funds-for-tel-avivs-missile-defence/article6275975.ece