Gaza: Israel to renew attacks against Palestinian militants

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-28-2006 08:47

The month-old truce between Israel and militants in Gaza is looking increasingly fragile.

Israel says it's decided to renew attacks against Palestinian rocket-launching cells in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his top officials made the announcement after two 13-year-old boys in Sderot were seriously wounded in a rocket attack by Palestinian militants.

Although Israel said it remained committed to the truce, the decision to renew strikes against rocket launchers clearly increased the tension.

Ghazi Hamad, Hamas spokesman, said, "I think it came as a consistent policy for the Israeli government to continue their aggression against our people in the West Bank and Gaza City. But I confirm that there is an agreement, which is an agreement for a ceasefire."

Militants have fired more than 60 rockets at southern Israel since the ceasefire, which went into effect on November 26.

Israel has so far refrained from responding, but Olmert had warned in recent days that his patience was wearing thin.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, was meeting Israeli officials in Jerusalem on Wednesday to help prepare for a summit next week.

Olmert and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are due to meet on January the 4th in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik.

Editor:Du Xiaodan