Hamas rocket fire endangers truce
By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 24, 4:58 PM ET
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas militants in Gaza joined in the rocketing of Israeli towns and villages for the first time in five months Tuesday, retaliating for deadly Israeli raids in the Palestinian territories.
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The barrage, which came on
Israel's 59th independence day, did not cause any damage or injury, but it marked the first time Hamas acknowledged firing shells toward Israel since agreeing to a cease-fire in November.
The cease-fire has greatly reduced the level of violence in Gaza, sparing the area from Israeli incursions and airstrikes. It has also helped prevent a resumption of suicide attacks in Israel.
But the informal truce has been widely criticized in Israel because Palestinian security forces have not stopped rocket squads from firing at Israeli towns.
While Hamas rocket squads have stayed on the sidelines, other groups such as Islamic Jihad have kept up an almost daily barrage on Israelis living just outside Gaza.
Hamas is tightly organized, and Israel says attacks from Gaza have the tacit approval of the militant group's political leaders.
Hamas gave conflicting predictions about the future of the truce announced in November by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Some officials said it was over, while others said everything depends on Israeli actions.
Israel has stopped most of its military activity but kept Gaza in a stranglehold by closing vital crossings, citing security threats.
Israeli raids in the northern
West Bank over the weekend and an Israeli missile strike in Gaza killed nine Palestinians, including two civilians, and Hamas called for attacks against Israel in retaliation. Tuesday's rocket barrage was the first sign the new Hamas line might spell the end of the truce.
"The cease-fire has been over for a long time, and Israel is responsible for that," Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida, told the Voice of Palestine radio station.
"We are ready to kidnap more and more, and kill more and more of your soldiers," Abu Obeida added, referring to a soldier captured in a cross-border raid by Hamas-linked militants in June.
Israel Radio, citing military officials, said Tuesday's rocket attack apparently was intended to create a diversion in order to capture an Israeli soldier near the Gaza border. The military refused to comment on the report.
Hamas militants claimed they launched 41 rockets and 54 mortar shells, but the Israeli military said it could confirm only six rockets and eight mortars. Two of the rockets fell in Israel, the army said, causing no casualties or damage.
Israeli helicopters fired missiles at mortar launch sites in southern Gaza, the military said. Palestinian security reported no Israeli strikes.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas appeared to defend the attack.
"We made great efforts at keeping the truce and there was a positive Palestinian position, but unfortunately this position was met by expanding (Israeli) aggression and escalating it against the Palestinian people," he said.
Haniyeh's spokesman, Ghazi Hamad, also blamed Israel, but said the Palestinian government "affirms the importance of maintaining the truce and protecting it."
Olmert and Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz spoke by phone to discuss a possible response. More security consultations were planned for Wednesday, government officials said.
The Israeli military has warned of a Hamas arms buildup in Gaza, and has readied contingency plans for a large-scale invasion of the territory. However, Olmert said earlier this month that the time is not ripe for a major ground campaign.
At an independence day event, Olmert looked to the future. "No doubt Israel will have to deal with great dangers in the coming years. But if we act wisely, we can also create opportunities," he said. "We will be judged by both."
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni praised the Arab League for its latest peace initiative, renewing an offer of recognition of Israel in exchange for a pullout from all lands captured in the 1967 war and a just solution for Palestinian refugees and their millions of descendants.
"Maybe for the first time the Arab world understands the vital role it fills by lending support and legitimacy to the Israeli-Palestinian process by stretching their hand out to Israel," she said. Israel does not accept parts of the plan but has called for negotiations.
Hamas rocket fire endangers truce
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