Don't worry yourselves, it's only a mere "gunbattle". If the Israeli Defence Forces were part of it, I'm sure the editorial boards would've inserted far more weeping and gnashing of teeth into the storyline. As it is, this is a mere "event," barely worth a mention.
(It also should be noted that the only people taking the "truce" between Hamas and Fatah seriously either work for the State Department, or for the press. Which speaks quite a bit to the utter lack of intelligence found in both groups!)
A Palestinian girl runs for cover as gunmen from Hamas take position during a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions.(AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
It's nice to know that Palestinians use their citizens as shields even amongst themselves... I really do feel sorry for the girl in the picture above, other than for the fact that Palestinian society has put themselves in this situation, by breeding nothing but hatred and violence for the past 3 decades.
To lighten things up, I've got more pictures of this wonderfully-executed cease-fire following the break, so brace yourselves for a healthy dose of fun!
Update: Agence France-Presse wins the Most Ironic Caption contest, with this doozy: A civilian has died overnight in Gaza in clashes between Hamas and a powerful local clan, but otherwise a truce aimed at halting violence between rival Palestinian factions held for a third day.
"Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?"
Truly the depth of mental acumen. Of course, if this civilian were killed by Israelis, we would have had a massive funeral already, covered by all of the wire services, and we would've been treated to repeated mentions of the civilian's name, age, and any other touching details that the press can conjure up. But, since the victim was killed by a Protected Oppressed People, we're denied such insight. I guess there's no journalistic style book entry for fratricide, huh?
A Palestinian gunman from Hamas runs during a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
A Palestinian riot policeman guards the center of the West Bank city of Ramallah December 22, 2006 to prevent clashes after Friday prayers. Gunmen loyal to Abbas opened fire on Hamas members in the occupied West Bank on Friday, wounding at least four civilians, hospital officials and witnesses said. They said gunmen opened fire as thousands of Hamas activists and militants prepared for a rally in the city of Nablus. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel (WEST BANK)
Palestinian Fatah gunmen take up position during a gun battle with militants from Hamas in the West Bank city of Nablus December 22, 2006. Gunmen loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah opened fire on Hamas members in the occupied West Bank on Friday, wounding at least two people, hospital officials and witnesses said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Palestinian Fatah gunmen take position during a gunbattle with militants from Hamas in the West Bank city of Nablus December 22, 2006. Gunmen loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah opened fire on Hamas members in the occupied West Bank on Friday, wounding at least two people, hospital officials and witnesses said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Palestinian Hamas militants take position during a gunbattle with gunmen from the Fatah faction in the West Bank city of Nablus December 22, 2006. Gunmen loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah opened fire on Hamas members in the occupied West Bank on Friday, wounding at least two people, hospital officials and witnesses said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Palestinian Fatah gunmen run to take position during a gunbattle with militants from Hamas in the West Bank city of Nablus December 22, 2006. (Abed Omar Qusini/Reuters)
A Palestinian Fatah gunman takes position during a gunbattle with militants from Hamas in the West Bank city of Nablus December 22, 2006. (Abed Omar Qusini/Reuters)
Palestinian Fatah gunmen take position during a gunbattle with militants from Hamas in the West Bank city of Nablus December 22, 2006. (Abed Omar Qusini/Reuters)
A Palestinian gunman from Hamas takes a position during a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus , Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
A Palestinian gunman from Hamas takes a position during a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
Palestinians react to a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions.(AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Palestinian gunmen from the Fatah Movement prepare to take position during a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
A Palestinian gunman from the Fatah Movement takes a position during a gunbattle with Hamas militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
A Palestinian man protects his son as they take cover during a gunbattle between Hamas and Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Palestinian militants from Hamas head into position during a gunbattle with Fatah militants in the West Bank city of Nablus , Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Ferocious gunbattles broke out between Hamas and Fatah militants in the Gaza Strip and West Bank early Friday, underscoring the fragility of a new truce between the rival factions.(AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Palestinian demonstrators shout slogans against the unrest and lawlessness during a protest in Gaza City. A civilian has died overnight in Gaza in clashes between Hamas and a powerful local clan, but otherwise a truce aimed at halting violence between rival Palestinian factions held for a third day.(AFP/Said Khatib)
Tags: majdi mohammed loay abu haykel abed omar qusini nasser ishtayeh said khatib AP AFP REUTERS #Intifada
Comments:
#1 Ace of Spades HQ 22-Dec-2006
Don't worry -- there were no Jews involved in this Hamas-Fatah firefight amidst children, so it's not news you have to concern yourselves about....
#2 forest 22-Dec-2006
This is another damning set of photos and captions Brian.
What constitutes the breaking of a truce if not a "ferocious gun battle" every day? The press must be having a hard time figuring out how to blame Israel...
In today's photos, the subjects and photogs are playing up the legitamacy of the gunman rather than the damage done. One subject is "protecting" a young girl and another is obviously posing in front of a portrait of Arafat - both photos are clearly propaganda shots.
Also, I'm sure others have noticed how beefy most of these "militants" are. They are not missing many meals despite the famous poverty of "Palestine". Maybe they eat well because they have guns...
Gangsters for life.
What constitutes the breaking of a truce if not a "ferocious gun battle" every day? The press must be having a hard time figuring out how to blame Israel...
In today's photos, the subjects and photogs are playing up the legitamacy of the gunman rather than the damage done. One subject is "protecting" a young girl and another is obviously posing in front of a portrait of Arafat - both photos are clearly propaganda shots.
Also, I'm sure others have noticed how beefy most of these "militants" are. They are not missing many meals despite the famous poverty of "Palestine". Maybe they eat well because they have guns...
Gangsters for life.
#3 Diehard_TH 23-Dec-2006
Interesting to note how many M177 carbines seem to be in use. There's even an Israeli Galil in a couple of shots.
Where do these guys get their arms from and with what money since i'm sure AK's would be cheaper.
Where do these guys get their arms from and with what money since i'm sure AK's would be cheaper.
#4 Hettie 23-Dec-2006
Picture 15 is odd as there are happy bystanders not thinking of cover at all.
#5 db 23-Dec-2006
Some of these shots appear to be staged. The man "protecting" his son ought to mention the danger to the women milling about behind him...
