Possibilty of a Truce in Gaza.

Though no official aggreement has been made, Palestinian Militant group, Hamas have accepted the possibilty of a truce.

The hopes for a ceasefire came after Israel halted military operations in Gaza to allow for humanitarian aid. Israeli spokesman MArk Regev released a statement saying:

“The challenge now is to get the details to match the principles.”

Daily Ceasefire

According to the spokesperson, there will be a daily ceasefire to allow for humanitarian aid for those in Gaza.

While some may argue that this is a positice sign for an end to the crisis,  it is clear that Israel needs to step up and take further responsible action.

Israel and Hamas have been urged by the international community to bring an end to the conflict which began on 27 Dec, 2008. More than 600 palestinians are believed to have been killed.

Requirements for a Truce.

Israel–Although the number of Palestinian victims far exceeds that of the Israeli side, The Hamas group must stop rocket attacks on Southern Israel.

The Israeli side also demands the Hamas group to stop smuggling weapons into Gaza via Egypt.

Hamas Militant Group– Israel must bring an end to the blockade in Gaza. Aid agencies have critcised the country for worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Around 1.5 million Palestinian people in Gaza are unable to escape the conflict due to the blockade.

 

WALTZ WITH BASHIR: A NEW AGE OF ANIMATION.

By David Shoo

 

 

The film’s trailer gives it a dark “sin city” look.  The publicity photo of a lonesome man standing outside in the cold suggests it’s an inventive attempt to blend animation with classical film noir.

 

 

However, Ari Folman‘s animated “war-doc” exceeds our expectations. The impressive textures, sounds and overall plot makes Waltz with Bashir one of this years must-see films.

 

 

 

STORY

At just 19, Ari Folman did national service with the Israeli military forces. He would soon find himself at the centre of a massacre that till now remains one of the darkest points in middle-eastern relations.

 

 

After a meeting with an old army friend in the year 2006, Folman can’t stop dreaming about a peculiar battle he had in Beirut.

 

 

He finds himself questioning several friends, army-colleagues and psychiatrists to uncover the mysteries of the dream. Without any credible explanation, the troubled filmmaker is forced to question if the battle is a symbolic reference to the tragedies of the Sabra and Shatila massacre.

 

 

Unlike Pixar‘s Cars and Wall-E, Waltz with Bashir proves that animations don’t need to be querky or slapstick. The stunning photography effectively conveys a dark but thrilling moment in the Lebanese-Israeli conflict.

 

 

Folman courageously secludes himself from the mainstream by abandoning a conventional storyline. You can forget that this is the year’s best animation (which quite frankly it is) and appreciate it as a genuine cinematic masterpiece.