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AFP Lede: "Crippling Israeli Blockade"

Crippling

Oh please:

Israeli warships on Monday prevented a Libyan cargo vessel from reaching the Gaza Strip, the impoverished Palestinian territory under a crippling Israeli blockade. ... "Navy ships approached the Libyan boat and ordered it on the radio to turn back, and so it did," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said. "Anyone wishing to transfer humanitarian aid into Gaza is welcome to do it in coordination with Israel and through the regular crossings. They can also contact Egypt."

I'm not sure what kind of a mood the Egyptians will be in, given that Gaza is in the opposite of a crippling fuel crisis...

The Palestinian Authority agrees with Israel's Matan Vilnai -- the Gaza blackouts are staged. Even an official at the Gaza electricity company concurs. The Jerusalem Post reports that the official, who asked not to be identified, told the Fatah controlled Pal-Press Web site: "Hamas has seized more than 220,000 liters of fuel that was intended for generators belonging to our company," he revealed. "There's no shortage of fuel and as such there is no reason for a crisis."

... at the expense of Egypt: (translation)

The Egyptian cities near the border with the Gaza Strip severe fuel crisis, because of increased smuggling of gasoline and diesel to Gaza through tunnels stretching across the border, especially after the closure of Gaza's crossings with Israel since the beginning of this week.Increased smuggling of fuel from the cities of El Arish and Rafah and Sheikh near the northern coast of the strip in packages designed for that, where they are transferred to Gaza through the tunnels to be sold exorbitant prices, which led to the disappearance of gasoline and diesel fuel stations in the northern Sinai.

But the Egyptians - if pushed - would probably help coordinate the aid. They've shown remarkable understanding when it comes to the Gaza-Egypt border, up to and including freeing Palestinians who blow it up. Plus there's no reason they can't supply Gaza with energy: it's not like they're committed to their legally binding treaty obligations to sell gas to Israel.

References:
* Hamas prevents Muslim pilgrims from leaving Gaza
* Gaza Electricity Official: 'No Reason For a Crisis' [CAMERA]
* Israeli warships block Libyan aid boat near Gaza [AFP]
* Fuel crisis in the cities of the Sinai because of fuel smuggling through tunnels into the Gaza Strip [PalPress]
* Egypt frees 34 Palestinians imprisoned after border breach [JPost]
* Egyptian court: Halt natural gas sales to Israel [JPost]

Previously:
* Egypt Ignores Palestinian Outrages Against Egyptians, Prepares To Bail Out Gazans. Again. (Plus: Egypt Fanning Cartoon Jihad Flames)
* Hey Gals, Check This Out - If You're In Egypt You Can Pretty Much Forget About Fighting Back When You're Assaulted
* Female Egyptian Lawyer: "All Arabs" Should Go Launch Mass Rape Campaign Against Israeli Women [Video]

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  • Omri Ceren is a PhD candidate studying Rhetoric at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. He lives in downtown Los Angeles.

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