Today marked the end of my almost three week vacation and my return to school. :( Upon arrival (15 minutes late because of the bus) I learned that school would be let out an hour or so early because our national school counter part is getting out early due to exams. This will last until the end of the month. I have two weeks of real class, in which I have to teach multiplication, one week of review, and then one week of exams.
Does that sound like third grade to you? Sounds like college to me, only I did not even get a "reading week" like a lot of colleges do. Wisconsin got a "reading day" aka half a day. Good thing I am done with college.
In other Egypt news the situation between Israel and Gaza worsens every day. Egypt seems to be taking a lot of heat in the Arab world for it's alleged lack of action. I do not see Egyptians troops becoming involved and there are some valid reasons for keeping the border closed; not wanting foreign troops on their side of the border, not wanting massive amounts of refugees, wanting international assistance in opening the borders, and trying to remain above the constant calls of jihad and martyrdom.
Recently, as of today, it seems Israel had started bombing the tunnels between Rafah and Egypt, damaging property and border crossing stations on the Egyptian side. The tunnels are a major point of contention because Israel believes (and they are probably right ) that Hamas smuggles in a large amount of weapons through the tunnels. But, there are two types of tunnels really. Hamas' tunnels for weapons. Civilian tunnels for every day goods, because when most of the borders in and out of your country are closed things like TVs, baby formula, and electronics can be hard to come by. Egypt wants an international forces present on the Gaza side to help regulate border smuggling, even though they have the military strength and technique to deal with it.
Side note: Unless you are the only son, have no father or have connections most Egyptian men have to serve 13 months in the military after university.
The death toll has reached close to 900 and 3,600 wounded. Israeli troops are on the ground. Still, if the point of this newest war is to stop rockets from launching into Israel that goal is not going to be accomplished by pummeling civilian or Hamas hideouts. Israeli attitudes remains "Hamas will never be the same." While Hamas' attitude remains "as long as there is occupation there will be resistance." Sounds like both sides are still the same.
Egypt is currently brokering peace talks aimed at first establishing a ceasefire. Israel would like to see a US backed guarantee that arms smuggling through the Rafah border will stop. Israel will not stop its attacks until the tunnels are secured. I am interested to see what Obama does with this his first days in office, but hopefully it will be over by the 20th because to many people have died for something that truly cannot be solved with violence.
Again for a good Egyptian news source check out...
www.dailystaregypt.com
They claim to be independent and seem to be.
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