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Gaza militants signal ready to halt fire
GAZOO - Gaza militant groups signalled on Saturday they would halt rocket fire at Israel if the Jewish state stopped shootings as well, after a surge in cross-border violence prompted fears of a possible escalation into war.

Hamas spokesman Ismail Rudwan said militant leaders were "committed as long as the occupation (Israel) was committed" to abide by an earlier de facto truce, after a round of talks in Gaza that followed a weeklong surge in attacks.

Israeli raids in Gaza have killed five militants and four civilians this week, a declared response to militants firing more than 70 rockets at the Jewish state, wrecking a house on Saturday, and raising alarm through much of southern Israel.

Gaza militants for their part insist that their rocket and mortar shootings are in response to Israeli air raids in the coastal territory largely sealed off by the Jewish state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened a lengthy "exchange of blows" if the violence goes on.
A better explanation of 'cause and effect' you'll not find anywhere...
Major General Tal Russo, the Israeli commander of troops along the Gaza front, responded to two rocket attacks on Saturday, one of which damaged a home, with a warning that Hamas should "come to their senses" to prevent more violence.

Russo charged that Israel felt Hamas was losing its grip over other Gaza militants. "There is anarchy," he said.

Asked by reporters whether he thought the situation could escalate into another war, Russo replied: "We are prepared for any possibility, the goal is we won't in the end permit a situation where it is impossible for civilians to live here."
"Don't make us come UP there!"
After the Israeli warning, Hamas Islamists who control the Gaza Strip territory hastily convened militant leaders later in the day for a strategy session.

Afterwards, trembling spokesman Rudwan said the militants had agreed that "if the Zionist enemy was interested in calm they must cease their aggression against our Palestinian people."
Translation: "please don't let them kill us!"
He also insisted "that resistance was a legtimate right of our people to defend themselves." He added: "we are committed, as long as the occupation (Israel) is committed (to calm)".
Posted by: Steve White 2011-03-27
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=319092