Conflict Blotter

News, analysis and original reporting from the Middle East

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Entries from October 2007

Google Earth zooms in on Israel military sites

October 5th, 2007 · 21 Comments

From today’s Yediot:
Sensitive installations, Air Force bases with their planes and helicopters, missile bases and even the nuclear reactor in Dimona have never been photographed better. A recent Google Earth update shows satellite pictures that make it possible to see clear, sharp pictures of military and civilian targets all across Israel.
Up until recently, the […]

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Tags: Intelligence · Military · Israel

Israel’s linchpin settlement

October 2nd, 2007 · 48 Comments

This is bad news for those of you who oppose the expansion of settlements and favor a two-state solution.
The Samaria and Judea (Shai) District Police will move its headquarters to the controversial E-1 area, which links Jerusalem with the West Bank settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim, by the end of this year, regardless of whether or […]

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Tags: Settlers · Peace Process · Palestinian · Israel

Hamas goes to Tel Aviv: Website

October 2nd, 2007 · 6 Comments

There’s a rumor circulating throughout Gaza that Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad and Ismail Haniya advisor Ahmed Yussuf held direct talks with Israel’s deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai to discuss relaxing the siege and expanding the ceasefire. It’s been reported here and here on the Fras Web site, which I’m not familiar with, but which I […]

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Tags: Peace Process · Hamas · Israel

Al Qaeda in Gaza?

October 1st, 2007 · 10 Comments

In the past year I’ve had dozens of conversations with colleagues, experts, politicians, analysts, etc, about whether or not Al Qaeda is present in Gaza, especially foreign, non-Palestinian jihadis. As such, this news caught my eye today.
Hamas has extradited a wanted Al-Qaida militant to Egypt in exchange for Cairo’s agreement to allow dozens of stranded […]

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Tags: Al Qaeda · Hamas · Gaza