This is why the Palestinians can't have nice things.

I wonder if Hamas is hording, or if they're pulling a Burma -- nabbing the supplies and distributing them themselves so the people don't know where the aid is really coming from.

Why should the UN clean up Israel's mess?

Just shuffle more Palestinians into a "safe" house and fire up the artillery.

/Worked once anyway.

Diogenes: I wonder if Hamas is hording, or if they're pulling a Burma -- nabbing the supplies and distributing them themselves so the people don't know where the aid is really coming from.

The latter, I think (or rather, that's what they WANT to have happen, that they distribute the aid, and since that's not officially happening, someone pulled a DIY). Same as Burma. There have been many articles leading up to this talking about official complaints of being shut out from the distribution, etc.

It's not so much that the people shouldn't know where the aid comes from, there's no hiding that it's UN supplies.

The key is that Hamas, as the legal government, be involved so that it's (1) "see, we got places to give aid to you" and more importantly (2) "see, we are being taken seriously, we have respect from foreign agencies."

I can sympathize with their being shut out, that's part of what caused this entire mess to start with, the mass refusal to recognize the government, refusal to let them run parts of the government they won the right to run when they won the elections, and then attempts to coup it (which they got wind of and flipped it the other direction).

But... yeah. They're not helping. Alas, when "face" gets involved a lot of really stupid decisions often get made.

TFA: the ruling body of gaza is corrupt and actively works to destroy its own people.
OlafTheBent: could this even be more israel's fault?

f00f: TFA: the ruling body of gaza is corrupt and actively works to destroy its own people.
OlafTheBent: could this even be more israel's fault?


lol
Seriously.

If they kept sending aid anyway the Palestinians wouldn't get any of it. Stop being a douche-bag, subby, and read the actual article.

stellathediver: If they kept sending aid anyway the Palestinians wouldn't get any of it. Stop being a douche-bag, subby, and read the actual article.

I think you're reading too deeply into the headline. The whole affair is sad. Pretty much from every angle you look at it.

Hamas was simply too brazen in its siezure of UN aid. The UN couldn't ignore it until Hamas pretended to apologize. The UN can't stop shipments permanently, UN jobs and purpose for existing are involved. Hamas knows this. Its a sybiotic relationship.

glass parking lot, etc. etc..

He said no Hamas or Unrwa representatives had been present at the crossing when drivers loaded up the aid supplies, and the drivers had assumed they belonged to the Hamas government.

Makes perfect sense. And the big letters "U" and "N" on the front of the truck were misconstrued. Hamas' gunmen assumed the truck belonged to Uruguayan Needlepoint team.

itazurakko, you're theory would work so much better.if they were distributing.the free aid rather than selling at jacked up prices and kept the money.

Well

First the UN admits that Israel never actually bombed that school (which of course, no-one noticed)

Now Hamas is confiscating UN supplies.

Come-on you Anti-semites, blame this on Israel. Ignore that Hamas is the party responsible for all this misery.

Swampthing in Korea: First the UN admits that Israel never actually bombed that school (which of course, no-one noticed)

What??? When did this happen?

Step 1: Convince UN to give ait
Step 2: Sell free aid to own people.
Step 3: Profit!
Step 4: Buy rockets, launch at Israel

I think that's how it works.

On Tuesday, 3,500 blankets and more than 400 food parcels were seized at gunpoint from a distribution centre in Gaza, the UN said.

The Hamas government's social affairs minister ordered "the aid to be returned to the agency if it turns out it is indeed its property", Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said, according to AFP news agency.

Who the fark else would be shipping in a few hundred tons of food and blankets to your broke ass? Sure wouldn't be Israel. The Egyptians won't even let your refugees stay in their country. And you damn sure didn't grow it yourself.

Swampthing in Korea: Well

First the UN admits that Israel never actually bombed that school (which of course, no-one noticed)

Now Hamas is confiscating UN supplies.

Come-on you Anti-semites, blame this on Israel. Ignore that Hamas is the party responsible for all this misery.

Troll Rating: 4 out of 10

Running out of food and blankets and medicine.

They seem to have an inexhaustible supply of rockets, however.

Degree Absolute: What??? When did this happen?

Earlier this week.

The United Nations has retracted a claim that an Israeli strike which killed more than 40 people in northern Gaza city of Jabaliya last month hit a school run by a UN agency.

http://www.antiwar.com/avnery/

The Black Flag Is Waving

Bill_Wick's_Friend: Degree Absolute: What??? When did this happen?

Earlier this week.

The United Nations has retracted a claim that an Israeli strike which killed more than 40 people in northern Gaza city of Jabaliya last month hit a school run by a UN agency.

Dear god that's a petty technicality; "It's ok, when they bombed us, they only killed the people OUTSIDE of the building"

browser_snake: Running out of food and blankets and medicine.

They seem to have an inexhaustible supply of rockets, however.

Came here to say that...

You'd think the money and effort put into rockets could be better used else where.

Hey UN, go make yourself useful and bulldoze much of Africa and East Asia and install some democratic governments if you're all for freedom and rights.

As for the Palestinians, they'll be Palestinians.

ChopSueyKS: browser_snake: Running out of food and blankets and medicine.

They seem to have an inexhaustible supply of rockets, however.

Came here to say that...

You'd think the money and effort put into rockets could be better used else where.

The rockets are made out of scrap metal, fertiliser and some kind of fuel. They're incredibly crude and easy to make.

Bill_Wick's_Friend: Degree Absolute: What??? When did this happen?

Earlier this week.

The United Nations has retracted a claim that an Israeli strike which killed more than 40 people in northern Gaza city of Jabaliya last month hit a school run by a UN agency.


"It stressed that its initial report of the January 6 incident correctly stated that Israeli shells hit outside the school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, but that it later referred to "the shelling of the UNRWA school in Jabaliya".

/Israel hit the parking lot not the building proper, not a complete retraction.

abigsmurf: Dear god that's a petty technicality

Last week: EVIL JOOOZ BOMBED A UN SCHOOL!! EVIL! EVIL! EEEEEVIL!

This week: Ok. So they didn't actually bomb the school. They bombed near the school. Still evil...or something....mutter mutter mutter.......

Technicality!? The shrill cries were all of "Israel bombed a UN school" when, in fact, Israel did NOT bomb a UN school. Truth is a "technicality"?!

abigsmurf: The rockets are made out of scrap metal, fertiliser and some kind of fuel. They're incredibly crude and easy to make.

Scrap metal should be used in construction, fertilizer should be used in farming, and the fuel should be used to keep their economy intact. They also do get some fairly sophisticated explosives through those tunnels of theirs. It's just a shame that whoever is arming them is sending in weapons rather than a way they can actually improve their lives.

Degree Absolute: Swampthing in Korea: First the UN admits that Israel never actually bombed that school (which of course, no-one noticed)

What??? When did this happen?

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2484349.htm

abigsmurf: They're incredibly crude and easy to make.

So are blankets, bread, etc...

abigsmurf: The rockets are made out of scrap metal, fertiliser and some kind of fuel. They're incredibly crude and easy to make.

Some of the rockets fired from Gaza fit that description, not all of them.

Bill_Wick's_Friend: abigsmurf: Dear god that's a petty technicality

Last week: EVIL JOOOZ BOMBED A UN SCHOOL!! EVIL! EVIL! EEEEEVIL!

This week: Ok. So they didn't actually bomb the school. They bombed near the school. Still evil...or something....mutter mutter mutter.......

Technicality!? The shrill cries were all of "Israel bombed a UN school" when, in fact, Israel did NOT bomb a UN school. Truth is a "technicality"?!

They ignore that Hamas was operating from nearby, trying to get Israel to accidentally hit the school and thus score propaganda points.

ChopSueyKS: abigsmurf: The rockets are made out of scrap metal, fertiliser and some kind of fuel. They're incredibly crude and easy to make.

Scrap metal should be used in construction, fertilizer should be used in farming, and the fuel should be used to keep their economy intact. They also do get some fairly sophisticated explosives through those tunnels of theirs. It's just a shame that whoever is arming them is sending in weapons rather than a way they can actually improve their lives.

Prior to the second Intifada, the Palestinian economy was growing and trade and travel with Israel was helping Palestine develop. Then they decided to start rioting and suicide bombing, forcing Israel to stop all movement and impose check-points.

Next thing you know their economy crashes into the gutter.

Truly a people who choose to shiat where they eat.

I'm glad these stories are making it out, perhaps the next Hamas swat down won't be such an anti-Israel circle jerk.

I'm still thinking Iran pushed the whole thing as a distraction away from nuke program. Do I put on tinfoil hat, or does this make sense?

abigsmurf: ChopSueyKS: browser_snake: Running out of food and blankets and medicine.

They seem to have an inexhaustible supply of rockets, however.

Came here to say that...

You'd think the money and effort put into rockets could be better used else where.

The rockets are made out of scrap metal, fertiliser and some kind of fuel. They're incredibly crude and easy to make.

the oklahoma city bombing was fertilizer too, guess that didn't do any damage.

Dear god that's a petty technicality; "It's ok, when they bombed us, they only killed the people OUTSIDE of the building"

yup, just a technicality - let's go in the (not so ) way back machine:

Hamas/UN: You bombed a UN school

Israel: No we didn't we bombed a site next to a school where rockets were being fired at us:

Hamas/UN: LALALALALA you bombed children without justification and here are pictures of blood and carnage IN THE SCHOOL to prove it

2 weeks later...

Davos conference: Israel bombed women and children, Israel bombed women and children, Israel bombed women and children

3 weeks later...

UN: you didn't actually bomb a school, you bombed next to it

Israel supporter on FARK: you mean we did what we said we did but the anti-Israel crowd prefered to believe we targeted children in a school and raised international hell over it and when the truth comes out, crickets?

Abigsmurf: whatever, you bombed near a school, who cares the reason, who cares that you didn't actually bomb a school which is what the controversy was all about.

Me: who were the people "outside the school" that you are defending now? Hamas members launching rockets?

[don't know why I bother, I have too much to do today to get into a winless debate on Fark against people who aren't going to change their minds anyway]

[[I am now using brackets instead of slashies]]

[[[just try and stop me]]]

Swampthing in Korea: Next thing you know their economy crashes into the gutter.

You'll get no agreement from me here. It bothers me that the average Palestinian just wants to work and make some bread, but Hamas on the other hand...

In terms of Hamas firing rockets from school, I just want to say that it has been done it in the past: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBKGOXfh94c

It wouldn't surprise me if it happens again.

abigsmurf: "The United Nations has retracted a claim that an Israeli strike which killed more than 40 people in northern Gaza city of Jabaliya last month hit a school run by a UN agency."

Dear god that's a petty technicality

"This tasteless cover is a good indication of the lack of musical invention within. The musical growth of this band cannot even be charted. They are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry."

Nigel Tufnel: That's just nitpicking, isn't it?

LargeCanine: Hamas was simply too brazen in its siezure of UN aid. The UN couldn't ignore it until Hamas pretended to apologize. The UN can't stop shipments permanently, UN jobs and purpose for existing are involved. Hamas knows this. Its a sybiotic parasitic relationship.

What does Hamas do for the UN?

I don't consider all Gaza Palestinians to be evil for the actions of Hamas any more than I consider all Americans to be evil for the actions of Bush. But the media tries to create this narrative where the Palestinians can't be held responsible for Hamas's actions.

Bullshiat. Hamas won a damn election. An election in which the poor, innocent, blameless Palestinians voted for them as the party that best represents their worldview and what they want for the future of Gaza.

Now there are certainly an enormous number of Palestinians being victimized by this who didn't vote for them, but Hamas are only in control because they got more votes than any of the other options. If you pick a group that insists on fighting among civilians, and views your death as a blessing for the PR victory it provides, it's going to be a bad run for a few years.

Democracy doesn't lead to freedom, and can't be supported by an ignorant, non-free society. Freedom must come first.

satanorsanta: Israel hit the parking lot not the building proper, not a complete retraction.

"Outside" is a very big place. If Israel fired into the Mediterranean, it would still be outside the school. I'm going to need a rough estimate in feet if I'm supposed to give a farking flame.

Why do these stories always come out on Fridays anyway? I feel bad enough being on the computer after sundown as it is but now how am I supposed to sign off?

Maybe now the Fark Independents™ will shut the Hell up about how the UN is a bunch of anti-Semitic Palestine-lovers?

DRC500free: I don't consider all Gaza Palestinians to be evil for the actions of Hamas any more than I consider all Americans to be evil for the actions of Bush. But the media tries to create this narrative where the Palestinians can't be held responsible for Hamas's actions.

Bullshiat. Hamas won a damn election. An election in which the poor, innocent, blameless Palestinians voted for them as the party that best represents their worldview and what they want for the future of Gaza.

Now there are certainly an enormous number of Palestinians being victimized by this who didn't vote for them, but Hamas are only in control because they got more votes than any of the other options. If you pick a group that insists on fighting among civilians, and views your death as a blessing for the PR victory it provides, it's going to be a bad run for a few years.

Democracy doesn't lead to freedom, and can't be supported by an ignorant, non-free society. Freedom must come first.

People keep on confusing Democracy and a liberal society.

Democracy can only really function when the people are civilized enough not to stab a person who draws a picture of a religious figure.

Swampthing in Korea: People keep on confusing Democracy and a liberal society.

Democracy can only really function when the people are civilized enough not to stab a person who draws a picture of a religious figure.

Or use an election as an excuse to throw their political rivals off of the rooftops of buildings and effectively wage a civil war. Democracy is about the rights of the minority being respected...Gaza has not seen this under Hamas.

ChopSueyKS: Swampthing in Korea: People keep on confusing Democracy and a liberal society.

Democracy can only really function when the people are civilized enough not to stab a person who draws a picture of a religious figure.

Or use an election as an excuse to throw their political rivals off of the rooftops of buildings and effectively wage a civil war. Democracy is about the rights of the minority being respected...Gaza has not seen this under Hamas.

Or Fatah. Arafat used to execute political opponents in the street without trial, claiming they were collaborators.

LargeCanine: Or Fatah. Arafat used to execute political opponents in the street without trial, claiming they were collaborators.

Hamas are terrorists, Fatah are terrorist with a smile. Fatah isn't any better even if they do have a better PR campaign in the West.

Now if only Israel could figure out how to UNcommit warcrimes, they'll be fine.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057964.html

There is particular concern at the Defense Ministry that interviews in the press by officers describing the destruction of homes or harm to civilians in areas where they commanded forces could become "self-incriminating" evidence, used by human rights groups and political groups seeking to bring suits against IDF officers.

The new regulations were finalized earlier this week, tightening censorship rules that had allowed more detailed reporting, as well as revealing the identities of officers. Two days ago, an unofficial report was received on a suit allegedly brought in the Netherlands against the commander of one of the brigades, following the release of his identity to the media. Israel's ambassador to the Netherlands has been unable to confirm that such a suit had been filed.

Of course there were no war crimes. But just in case, best to obscure the identities of each and every IDF commander involved. You know, just to be safe in this dangerous Jew-hating world....

ChopSueyKS: LargeCanine: Or Fatah. Arafat used to execute political opponents in the street without trial, claiming they were collaborators.

Hamas are terrorists, Fatah are terrorist with a smile. Fatah isn't any better even if they do have a better PR campaign in the West.

Hamas and Fatah are enemies. Israel and Hamas are enemies. Fatah controlled areas aren't rocketing Israel with anything like the regularity that Hamas controlled areas are. The enemy of my enemy is my friend thinking applies.

Yodas Ugly Brother: Hamas and Fatah are enemies. Israel and Hamas are enemies. Fatah controlled areas aren't rocketing Israel with anything like the regularity that Hamas controlled areas are. The enemy of my enemy is my friend thinking applies.

Fatah is better, I know. But they are far from perfect. Just like Arafat saying whatever needed to be said to get from North Africa back to the heart of things, I wouldn't trust Fatah once they gain the upper hand again. Israel should be working (and I believe are) more closely with Fatah, but that doesn't mean blind trust is in order.

Sad??

Tatsuma: itazurakko, you're theory would work so much better.if they were distributing.the free aid rather than selling at jacked up prices and kept the money.

They do both, from what I hear. Things are not so simple as "they want to steal it all."

From the very beginning there has been coverage of them asking to be allowed to distribute the aid (to prop up their face) and being denied that.

Parallel to that, yes, there is massive corruption, which is one of the reasons WHY they're being denied the request to help distribute (that plus the fact that foreigners don't want to LET them prop up their face).

It's similar to Burma. There was corruption in addition to the face issues there too (only worse because their junta is militarily competent AND their initial disaster was much larger).

Darconix: jakomo002: Of course there were no war crimes. But just in case, best to obscure the identities of each and every IDF commander involved. You know, just to be safe in this dangerous Jew-hating world....

What's your nation of origin, Jake? I'm genuinely curious. I know you're from Canada now, but you seem hellbent to defend the Canuckistan Taliban being held in Gitmo, you've got it in for U.S. soldiers, and now you're waving around crazy Jewish conspiracies to commit "war crimes" in Gaza.

Actually, its pretty well known that the IDF shields it's own from war crimes. It would make them look bad, so they whitewash or suppress any information about the events.

It's gotten to the point where nothing the IDF says about an event can be trusted based on their testimony alone.

Heck there is an interesting story in the latest Time about a family who was shot up by a tank crew, killing two of their young daughters. there was no hamas presence nearby, and the family identified itself. The solders shot the little girls first, then the grandmother. They then refused to allow the family to leave their home, basically dooming two of the girls to a slow, painful death.