The group had claimed an attack against Israel. Two of the three crossings between the Jewish State and Gaza Strip are re-opened. The Islamic Jihad appears to have decided to stick to the truce.

Gaza (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Hamas security forces have arrested Mohammed Abu Irmana, spokesman for the Al-Aqsa martyrs Brigade, the group that has claimed responsibility for rocket launches against Israel, violating the truce agreement with the Jewish State.

The arrest which took place yesterday has angered members of Fatah, which has links to the Brigade.  Fatah legislator Ashraf Juma'a strongly condemned the arrest and urged Hamas to release him “immediately and unconditionally”. Irmana has been on Israel’s most wanted terrorist list since 2000.  According to Juma, Israel is the only party to benefit from the increased divisions between Fatah and Hamas.  

The Islamic Movement’s decision demonstrates its intent to respect the truce currently in place.  Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas spokesman, confirmed that Islamic Jihad would abide by the truce. Israel, for its part is doing the same.  Yesterday it re-opened the Safa crossing, after having lifted its blockade of the Nahal Oz crossing Friday.  It has yet to re-open the Kufa crossing. Within hours of its opening an estimated 80 trucks transporting fuel and food supplies crossed into the Gaza Strip.

 

• gaza
• israel
• hamas
• al
• asqua
• brigade
• truce
• rocket
• launches
• crossings
• ceasefire