Palestine News

Israeli tank shells hit a fuel tank of the Gaza Strip's only power plant on Tuesday, forcing the plant to shut down, a spokesman for Gaza's electricity distribution company said.

While much of the rest of the world watches the Gaza war in horror and scrambles for a cease-fire, U.S. lawmakers are pressing the Obama administration to take no action that puts pressure on Israel to halt its military operations.

Demonstrators filled up the area around the Thompson Center and the Daley Center on Monday, for competing rallies - one in support of Israel, the other in support of Palestinians.

Backers of Israel and of Palestinians held dueling rallies in the Loop today, where each side accused the other of being responsible for the ongoing conflict in the Mideast.

Syrian state media have shown President Bashar Assad praying in Damascus at the start of a major Muslim holiday amid reports of an unprecedented high toll among his troops battling Islamic extremists.

The U.N. Security Council called for "an immediate and unconditional humanitarian cease-fire" in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas at an emergency meeting just after midnight Monday morning.

Thousands of people have been demonstrating in support of Palestinians and against Israel's assault on Gaza in major cities across the United States.

For almost all Palestinians and the vast majority Arabs and Muslims worldwide, the version of events as presented in the American mass media -- including the Belleville News-Democrat -- is about as far from reality as possible.

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA DOHA: For the last three years, Alvin Cruz and his family have been visiting Katara to watch the fireworks display organised by the Cultural Village for tourists, citizens and residents during Eid Al Fitr.

Several events, protests and closures in the Loop are bound to cause major traffic headaches for downtown commuters during Friday evening's rush.

WASHINGTON a The civilian death toll in Gaza from Israel's latest incursion is appalling.

U.N. SCHOOL CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE, via The Associated Press: "A U.N. school in Gaza crowded with hundreds of Palestinians seeking refuge from fierce fighting came under fire Thursday, killing at least 15 civilians and leaving a sad tableau of blood-spattered pillows, blankets and children's clothing scattered in the courtyard.

Even scenes that work, such as a climax on a rain-soaked bridge, feel like they could have been trimmed by a few hand-drawn frames.

Local Palestinian sympathizers plan to hold a "Rally for Gaza" on Friday afternoon in front of the Urbana City Building.

What's happening in the Middle East might not seem more than 6,000 miles away to area Jews who are feeling the heat of pro-Palestinian sentiment.

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Venice Film Festival's 29th Critics' Week has unveiled its lineup of nine first works, including eight world preems, featuring fresh pics from Europe, China, Vietnam, Iran, and Palestine.

Israelis and Palestinians may someday make peace. But the assumption should be that it won't happen soon -- perhaps not in our lifetimes.

"Since the offensive began, almost 400 Palestinian people have been killed and many more wounded," said Hatem Abudayyeh with the U.S. Palestine Community Network.

Secretary of State John Kerry points to what he calls 'extraordinary circumstantial evidence' - including video of a rocket launcher with one missile gone - which he says implicates Russia-supported rebels in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. More than three days after the Malaysia Airlines jetliner crashed, international investigators ... (more)

The first major ground battle in two weeks of Israel-Hamas fighting on Sunday has killed 65 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers and forced thousands of terrified Palestinian civilians to flee their neighborhood WEST FRANKFORT, Ill.