Israel and Hamas, possible cease-fire in Gaza
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Israel and Hamas seem to have reached a cease-fire after days of violence in which several Israelis were injured and at least six Palestinian militants killed.
The truce was negotiated with the help of Egypt, but it is not yet official. Starting October 22, a rain of rockets from Gaza have hit five people, including two Thais who work in Israel. Israeli air raids killed six Islamic militants.
Schools were closed on both sides of the border. But yesterday Hamas militants said they did not want violence in the run up to Eid, a Muslim holiday that begins tomorrow.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened that if the rocket attacks continue, Israeli raids would be" much more extensive." "We - he added - neither chose nor initiated this escalation but if it continues we are prepared for much more extensive and deeper action."
Since the start of the year, more than 600 rockets, and mortars on southern Israeli towns have been launched from the Strip. In a statement, the Hamas government condemned the "Zionist aggression against the Gaza Strip," threatening consequences. It called on all Arab leaders to visit the Gaza Strip to show solidarity with the Palestinians, expressing satisfaction at the historic visit of the Emir of Qatar ", which took place on October 23 last year.
Netanyahu has promised to improve the protection of Israeli communities near the Gaza border.
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