'Gaza groups ready to hold fire'
Statement by Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades says that Strip's militants are ready to end current round of escalation – as long as Israel halts strikes
Ready for a truce? Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades announced Wednesday that they – as well as other Gaza-based militants – are willing to bring the current escalation vis-à-vis Israel to an end.
Gaza's rulers' military wing said that the group would be committed to the armistice only if Israel agrees to holds its fire and suspends its strike on the Strip.
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The announcement followed efforts by Egypt to broker a ceasefire. The past three days have seen Gaza terrorists shell southern Israel almost incessantly, with over 120 Qassam rockets and mortar shells hitting western Negev communities.
"The current confrontation with the enemy was kept to a minimal exchange of fire – and it is best that the Israeli leaders understand that," the Izz al-Din al-Qassam statement said.
Fire caused by a Qassam rocket (Photo: Yoav Zitun)
"We entered this (round) with the sacred right to protect the Palestinian people and their warriors in the face of Zionist aggression and their repeated strikes."
The Gaza groups stressed that "The resistance has taught Israel a valuable lesson and it should think long and hard before this kind of aggression towards Gaza happens again."
Earlier Wednesday, Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha, referring to the possibility of a ceasefire, said that "calm will be met with calm."
Yasser Othman, Egypt's envoy to the Palestinian Authority, added that Cairo was "sparing no effort" in its attempts to broker a truce between Israel and the Palestinian factions.
Reuters contributed to this report
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