Blockade of the Gaza Strip

A visit to the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza is like a trip into the Twilight Zone. The security precautions and lack of human contact between the Israelis and Palestinians who work there captures the bizarre relationship between the two sides.

With the cease-fire holding in Gaza, both sides are now facing the difficult task of negotiating a lasting truce. This involves huge political issues. But also some very mundane issues, which could de-rail any settlement. For instance, cement. Cement is obviously needed for reconstruction. But Israel doesn’t want Hamas to re-build its tunnels.

With the cease-fire holding in Gaza, both sides are now facing the difficult task of negotiating a lasting truce. This involves huge political issues. But also some very mundane issues, which could de-rail any settlement. For instance, cement. Cement is obviously needed for reconstruction. But Israel doesn’t want Hamas to re-build its tunnels.

Rocket launches are down and tunnels are being destroyed in the Gaza Strip, which are signs of progress for the Israeli military. But Gazans say the ground offensive is creating more deaths and “ghost town scenes” across the tiny territory, with no sign of a possible ceasefire.Rocket launches are down and tunnels are being destroyed in the Gaza Strip, which are signs of progress for the Israeli military. But Gazans say the ground offensive is creating more deaths and “ghost town scenes” across the tiny territory, with no sign of a possible ceasefire.

Just as in past rounds of violence between Israel and Hamas, it is Palestinian civilians who are paying the highest price. After four days of Israeli bombardment, more than 100 Palestinians are now dead — and many of them are non-combatants.