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Three Kassams hit W. Negev
The sixth day of the Gaza truce saw the first violations when three Kassam rockets slammed into Israel in response to the IDF killing of top Islamic Jihad operative Tarek Abu Ghally in Nablus on Tuesday. There was no immediate military response from the IDF. The rockets struck in the western Negev without causing any casualties or damage. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility."We cannot keep our hands tied when this is happening to our brothers in the West Bank," the group said in a statement. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the rocket attack "came as result of Israeli provocation this morning." He added, however, that Hamas was "committed to the security calm." The first violation of the cease-fire came earlier, close to midnight Monday, when a mortar shell fired from Gaza hit the Negev. No one was hurt, and no damage was reported, and the IDF decided not to retaliate. No group claimed responsibility for the mortar fire. Olmert held consultations on the rocket fire when he returned from a meeting in Egypt with President Hosni Mubarak. One diplomatic source said it was now unlikely that Israel would increase the amount of goods allowed into the Gaza Strip, as the cease-fire plan entailed. It was clear, a government source said, that the Palestinians were trying to link events in the West Bank to the situation in the Gaza Strip, even though the agreement with Hamas explicitly said that the cease-fire was in Gaza Strip only and that Egypt would consider whether it could also be applied to the West Bank in another six months. The IDF Spokesman's Office said, "The IDF operates against terror in the West Bank in accordance with its authority and the necessary permits. The IDF does not conduct a dialogue with the political echelon via the media." Foreign Ministry spokesman Aryeh Mekel termed the Gazan rocket attacks "a grave violation of the cease-fire." Posted by: Pappy 2008-06-25 |
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