For the most part, the mainstream media in the U.S. is either ignoring the carnage and destruction now taking place in Gaza, or is inaccurately framing it as an Israeli military action of profound “restraint.” Considering the scores of killed and injured there in the last two months alone, that Palestinian fighters chose to respond by taking a single Israeli soldier hostage is a sign of restraint, though not on the Israeli side of things.

Another reason for the lower play in news coverage of the invasion of Gaza is that there has been yet more information released about the abuses that the United States seems intent on carrying out with its continued occupation of Iraq. As if the civilian massacres aren’t enough, the U.S. military has seen fit to add rape and murder to its arsenal as it continues to sow chaos in the region. While the United States may not have the career Israel does in occupying a country, What the American military lacks in experience, it makes up for with a zest for brutality.

Anyway, here are some updates on Gaza that somehow aren’t fit for print in most mainstram press coverage:

Gaza siege: Why’s the world silent?
The tragedy of Palestinian suffering continues to unfold. Ironically, the latest Israeli offensive, ostensibly launched in response to the capture of an Israeli corporal, has claimed scores of Palestinian lives and killed an Israeli soldier. — Khaleej Times

Palestinian Prime Minister offers five-point plan for peace; Israel refuses negotiation
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya offered a peace proposal for the current standoff with Israel late Saturday, an offer that Israeli authorities flatly refused. Over 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the last week in an ongoing offensive that Israeli leaders say will not end anytime soon. — IMEMC

Many protest Gaza siege in U.S., internationally
Palestine solidarity activists protested around the country and internationally, against Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip. Demonstrations took place in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Houston, West Hollywood, Seattle, New York and San Francisco. Internationally, protests took place in Vienna, Austria, Melbourne, Australia, and Indonesia. — Arab american News

UN envoy says Gaza siege breaks human rights law
A U.N. human rights envoy accused Israel on Wednesday of violating the “most fundamental norms” of international human rights law with its siege of the Gaza Strip. — Reuters

Families flee as Israel’s siege of Gaza continues
Rockets blaze across a pitch-black sky, illuminating Gaza, its empty streets concealing terrified families behind closed doors, praying for an end to the siege. — IMEMC

Crisis in US Media Coverage of Gaza
One element fueling the current crisis in Gaza is the ongoing failure of US corporate media coverage of Israel/Palestine. US policy, public opinion and mainstream media coverage of Israel/Palestine are all dangerously biased towards Israel. Media coverage both reflects and influences policy and public opinion. Media coverage of events in Gaza again illustrates how the US mainstream media privileges the Israeli narrative, and frequently ignores both Palestinian experiences and international law, providing the US public and policymakers with only part of the story. — Zmag

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