Mark Moon / 4.11.2008 / 11:04 am / Ethnic Conflict
After Palestinian gunmen raided the fuel depot responsible for supplying Gaza on Wednesday (4.8.08) and killed two workers, Israeli officials shut down shipments to the area. The 1.4m in Gaza are now dealing with fuel shortages, as the flow had already been drastically reduced since June. Three different small factions of militants have claimed responsibility for the attack, but Israeli officials continue to blame Hamas. The attack broke a month-long lull in violence in the region. This action has set off protests throughout Gaza, calling for an end to the containment and reduced flow of basic goods, fuel, and electricity. Officials from both sides have said the recent events will not disrupt peace talks, and they hope to achieve an agreement before the end of the year.
The Gaza Strip has seen a lot of violence over the past several years, but recent events have escalated the conflict. With Hamas taking control in June, the situation has consistently deteriorated into a series of border skirmishes, culminating in the breakthrough to Egypt in January of this year. I'm skeptical that peace talks will succeed in any sort of lasting agreement prior to the end of this year.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24050345/
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