Al-Zahar. Raising interest
Photo: AP
House hit by rocket Sunday
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
The Palestinian organizations are preparing for another round of talks in Egypt
in regards to the offer for a truce with Israel.
According to estimates, the parties will accept the proposal
presented by Hamas
leader Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahar over the weekend.
Al-Zahar convened a press conference Thursday following his meeting with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, and declared that his movement was ready for a six-month lull.
The desire to reach a ceasefire, however, is not preventing the Palestinian gunmen from continuing to shower the residents of southern Israel with rockets.
Rocket Fire
Shmulik Hadad
Two rockets fired from northern Gaza land in Sderot Sunday afternoon. One rocket hits local cemetery, another lands near house, sets fire to gas tanks. Earlier Sunday rocket lands in kibbutz south of Ashkelon
"The ball is on the Israeli side, and it is our right to use any means necessary to end the siege," al-Zahar said. The Egyptian intelligence chief is expected to visit Israel in order to discuss the truce terms.
Abu Mujahed, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, told Ynet on Sunday that the different organizations tend to accept al-Zahar's offer in order to "ease the Palestinian people's lives," but stated that the blockade on Gaza must be lifted and that the truce must be mutual and apply to the West Bank as well.
"However, until the lull comes into force officially, we will continue to resist the occupation," he said, referring to a rocket fired Sunday by his group members towards a western Negev kibbutz.
According to Abu Mujehad, Israel is continuing its activities in the Gaza Strip, while completely ignoring the discussions on a truce. "Therefore, there is no reason for us to stop taking measures to defend ourselves," he said.
He added that "the Palestinian organizations are seeking to ease Egypt's efforts, but we have no plan to beg for a truce." According to Abu Mujehad, "If Israel rejects the offer, the Palestinians have enough tools to continue to harm the Israeli occupation forces."
Two Qassam rockets were fired towards Israel on Sunday afternoon. One hit a cemetery in Sderot, while the other landed near a house, starting a fire. The house sustained heavy damage.
The al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the two rockets.