Israel’s blockade strategy against Hamas

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The UN Security Council has issued a statement calling for an impartial inquiry into Israel’s raid on a flotilla of Gaza-bound aid ships. The statement condemned the “acts” which led to the deaths of at least 10 civilian activists during the operation. The raid sparked strong international condemnation and calls for Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip which has been under the control of the Islamist Hamas since June 2007. Jeb Sharp looks at Israel’s efforts to blockade Hamas. Download MP3 (Photo of Hamas naval police by Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Israeli soldier describes events on raided ship
• Guide: Gaza under blockade

Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship

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At least nine activists have been killed after Israeli commandos stormed a convoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army says. Israel says its soldiers were shot at and attacked with weapons; the activists say Israeli troops came on board shooting. The activists were attempting to defy a blockade imposed by Israel after the Islamist movement Hamas took power in Gaza in 2007. Linda Gradstein reports. Download MP3(Photo: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Middle East crisis
• Egypt blocks Gaza border (Jan)

Mistaken identity

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Freelance journalist Alon Tuval has the misfortune of looking a lot like one of the suspects in the Dubai case. He says even friends are mistaking him for one of those involved. He’s in Jerusalem now. Katy Clark checks in with him. Download MP3

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• Murder mystery in the Middle East

Murder mystery in the Middle East

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Last month, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a military commander of the Palestinian group Hamas, was killed in Dubai. Hamas blamed Israel. This week, Dubai police released names, photos, and passport numbers of 11 members of an alleged hit-squad. Dubai said they carried European passports, but most of the identities appear to have been stolen. And at least seven of those identities matched up with Israeli citizens. We hear from Ronen Bergman, the security and intelligence correspondent for the Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth. Download MP3

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• BBC history of Israeli covert killing

Exchange could impact Palestinian politics

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A leading Palestinian leader who is currently in an Israeli jail could be released as part of a prisoner exchanged being negotiated. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports on the role Marwan Barghouti could play in Palestinian politics.

Gaza conflict

The UN Human Rights Council has backed a report into the Israeli offensive in Gaza that accuses both Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes. The report by Richard Goldstone calls for credible investigations by Israel and Hamas, and suggests international war crimes prosecutions if they do not. The United States and Israel opposed official endorsement of the report, saying it would set back Middle East peace hopes.

Hamas releases video of captured Israeli soldier

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Israel has freed 19 Palestinian female prisoners in exchange for a new videotape of an Israeli soldier captured more than three years ago near the Gaza border. Correspondent Linda Gradstein reports from Jerusalem.

Deepening focus on Islamic values in Gaza

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Since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007, Israel has severely limited the entry of goods into Gaza. As the blockade of Gaza continues, Palestinians in Gaza are deepening their religious identity. Some female students have been told to change their dress, although Hamas officials say the orders aren’t coming from them. Palestinians in Gaza say they see little hope for the future and many are turning to religion as an answer. Linda Gradstein reports from Gaza City. Download MP3

West bank tensions simmer

The World’s Matthew Bell reports on the simmering tensions in one West Bank town between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. Listen

A day in the life of a Palestinian truck driver

Last week, President Obama described the situation for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank as “intolerable.” The World’s Matthew Bell took a ride with a Palestinian truck driver today to get a sense of the challenges he faces trying to get his goods to Jerusalem. Listen View pictures from Matthew’s ride with a Palestinian [...]