Gaza Aftermath in Pictures

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Vicious ridiculous cycle

With more than 1250 Gazans casualties, half of them civilians and 13 Israelis died, including 10 soldiers, ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took place after more 3 weeks of continuous battles and rockets flying from one side to the other.

Hamas proclaimed it won a great victory over the Jewish state.

Read more here.

And

"We reserve the right to act in Gaza," Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Israeli television. "If they lift up their heads and shoot, we will return with great force because that is what you do against terror organizations."

And

"People said that Hamas had given up resistance, but they were the ones who fought the Israelis when they came, so all of Gaza supports Hamas," said 15-year-old Eimad Abul Maeza.

Deja vu isn't it?

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner suggested international help in rebuilding Gaza could come if the Fatah Party of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas returned to Gaza.

And

However, a top European Union official said Europe wouldn't help to rebuild until Gaza was governed by rulers acceptable to the EU. The European bloc considers Hamas a terrorist organization.

Typical reaction in deed.

Palestinian surveyors estimate the war caused at least $1.4 billion worth of destruction to buildings, roads and power lines.

Who won again?

Gaza was the topic of discussion at the Arab Economic Summit held in Kuwait Monday, which saw reconciliations among the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Qatar.

Read more here

Hmmm, so they meet after the ceasefire? Again, typical arab reactions.

When will this vicious ridiculous cycle ever end?

2009, rough start

Unfortunately while some of us were out drinking, partying and celebrating the coming of the new year, some people while they were drinking and dancing, died in a horrible way. Last night, dozens from differently nationalities in a nightclub in Thailand died after the nightclub was set on fire, cause still unknown. That is seriously a really sad start for the families of those who died, and for those who were burned and are wounded.

On the other end of Asia, Gaza is still under fire. Israel is not accepting any ceasefire. More than 400 so far are dead, while a big part of them are civilians.

Too cliché to wish for Peace, too cliché. But nevertheless, I wish that 2009 will carry some wisdom with it, less natural disasters, more awareness of the global warming issue, and more stable financial situations. As we say in my homeland "Save your white penny for a black day".

Israel launches air-strikes on Gaza

Israeli F-16 bombers have launched a series of air strikes against key targets in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 195 people, medical chiefs say.

Gaza officials and the Hamas militant group said more than 300 others were hurt as missiles hit security compounds and militant bases.

The strikes, the most intense Israeli attacks on Gaza for decades, come days after a truce with Hamas expired.

Read more here.

Seeing the disturbing scenes on TV is quite agonizing and disturbing indeed... I heard that the death toll has reached 195 so far...