International law protecting civilians in conflict is not being observed in the relentless Israeli war on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, human rights groups say, which escalated on its 13th day on Thursday, virtually paralyzing local and international humanitarian agencies from providing assistance to Palestinian civilians and threatening the lives of their own staff.
A constitutional leadership crisis is looming over the Palestinian Authority as Jan. 9 – the date that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' term officially ends – draws near.
EDITORIAL
Israel and Hamas have four options in Gaza. Option one: Israel reoccupies the entire territory of Gaza, or at least goes in deep enough to "clean it up."
OPINION
It may be somewhat early to discuss a comprehensive solution for the future of the Palestinian state on the one hand and to predict the way the global war with terrorism will end on the other hand. But it is urgent to remember the intentions of the Iranian and Syrian regimes and their proxy, Hezbollah, when thinking in terms of saving the civilian populations of Gaza from war, shielding the Israeli populations from rockets and avoiding an escalation of violence that could engulf the entire region.
In recent times the United Nations has become the target of criticisms, particularly in the United States. However, the failure of the United States to pay its dues to the organization has considerably hindered its work and reduced its effectiveness. The election of a new U.S. president is a unique chance for improving the United Nations and to make it even more responsive to the needs of people around the world.
