Israeli strikes have killed at least 116 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in the last seven days, the majority of them civilians, including 27 children. As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in the region Tuesday to broker talks between Israelis and Palestinians, Hamas has demanded an end to the Gaza blockade and international assurances that Israel will stop assassinations and military measures.

“Democracy Now!” speaks with a number of people involved with and expert in the Gaza-Israel situation: Dr. Mona El-Farra, director of Gaza Projects for the Middle East Children’s Alliance; Phyllis Bennis of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Policy Studies; Jody Williams, winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines; and Fida Qishta, a young Palestinian filmmaker responsible for the documentary “Where Should the Birds Fly?” The film surveys the effects of Israel’s 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip in 2008-2009 that killed more than 1,400 Palestinians.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

Democracy Now!:

 Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface.  We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig
In this Article:
#benjamin netanyahu#election#gaza#hamas#israel#palestine#video