France Admits Secret Contacts With Hamas

Now what do you think of this? France has had informal contacts with Hamas. That is the militant Palestinian group that rules Gaza. Not only that, but Hamas said France is not the only European country to seek it out recently for talks. This acknowledgment of secret contacts between France and a group considered terrorist by the United States and European Union brought swift criticism from Washington. And is it any wonder? We better watch our backs.

Israel Closes Gaza Crossings, and Pounds Hamas

Israel sought to put an end to a surge in rocket attacks from Gaza, sending its air force against a symbol of Hamas power in the heart of Gaza City and simultaneously choking off shipments of fuel and food across its border with the strip. An Israeli warplane attacked the downtown offices of the Palestinian Interior Ministry, flattening one wing of the empty building, killing a woman at a wedding party next door and wounding at least 46 other civilians, some of the children. The attack was the first on a ministry building since Hamas seized control of Gaza last June. An Israeli military commentator said it was meant to send a message to the violent Islamic group that further rocket attacks could cause the conflict to spiral.

Abbas Makes Election Law Changes

Palestinian Authority Presiden, Mahmoud Abbas, has announced changes in the election law which could boost his Fatah party against rivals Hamas. Under the new law, Palestinians will vote solely for party lists, while voting by district will be eliminated. Hamas, which took control of the Gaza Strip after fighting with Fatah in June, described the move as illegal. Mr. Abbas revealed the changes as he met US foreign policy chief Javier Solana in the West Bank city of Ramallah.