01/16/09

* Fatah cracks down on Hamas in W. Bank The war against Hamas is taking place not only in the Gaza Strip, but in the West Bank as well.

* IAF Pounds Hamas; 40 Targets Hit IAF pilots hit approximately 40 targets in Gaza on Thursday night and early Friday morning.

* 'Israel doing its best to help Gazans' As Operation Cast Lead concludes its third week, the government is doing everything in its power to facilitate humanitarian relief.

* "Iranian Unit" Destroyed, Hamas was Suprised The so-called "Iranian Unit" of Hamas has been destroyed, according to Gaza sources.

* Slain Hamas minister was key figure in '07 Gaza coup Hamas Interior Minister Said Sayyam, killed in an Israeli airstrike Thursday, was one of the Islamic militant group's top five leaders in Gaza.

* Mashaal: We won't accept Israeli conditions for cease-fire Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal rejected Israel's conditions for a Gaza cease-fire.

* Urgent drive for Gaza ceasefire Diplomatic activity is intensifying over a possible ceasefire to end Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

* Russia seeks Syrian, Iranian help on Gaza truce Russia has asked Iran and Syria to help persuade the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas to accept an Egyptian proposal on ending the fighting in Gaza.

* Israel hopes to achieve 'durable quiet' as Gaza offensive winds down Israel said Friday it hoped it was close to winding up the offensive it launched three weeks ago in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

* Hamas vows revenge after IDF kills Gaza Interior Minister Said Sayyam An Israel Air Force strike in Gaza on Thursday killed Hamas' Interior Minister Said Sayyam.