GAZA: Fragile truce threatened as Israeli air force bombs sites in the Hamas-run enclave after Palestinian militants launch rockets into southern Israel

Record ID: 340690

  • Title: GAZA: Fragile truce threatened as Israeli air force bombs sites in the Hamas-run enclave after Palestinian militants launch rockets into southern Israel
  • Date: 15th March 2012
  • Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (MARCH 14, 2012) (REUTERS) FIRE AND SMOKE INSIDE BUILDING FIRE FIGHTERS SPRAYING WATER MORE OF FIRE FLAMES INSIDE BUILDING FIRE FIGHTERS VARIOUS OF SMOKE AND FLAMES PEOPLE TALKING OUT PLASTIC CHAIRS OUT OF BUILDING FIRE FIGHTERS SPRAYING WATER ON FLAMES FIRE FIGHTER AND MEDIC STANDING NEAR BUILDING FIRE FIGHTERS SPRAYING WATER ON FLAMES FLAMES IN
  • Embargoed: 30th March 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Gaza, Gaza
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVAC3OOAUNX49SZ0C8RQQ4CIFXFT
  • Story Text: An Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Gaza militants seemed threatened on Wednesday (March 14) as cross-border attacks continued.
    The Israeli air force said it targeted two "terror activity" sites in the Hamas-run enclave overnight, adding it was a response to rocket fire launched from the Strip into southern Israel over the past day.
    No casualties were reported but a plastics factory in central Gaza burned down, Palestinians said.
    Late on Tuesday (March 13), a rocket launched from Gaza hit the southern Israeli town of Netivot, police said, causing damage but no serious casualties.
    The truce between Israel and militant groups in the Gaza Strip, was largely observed on Tuesday after four days of cross-border violence in which 25 Palestinians were killed and 200 rockets were fired at Israel.
    The number of Palestinian rocket attacks dropped sharply after the ceasefire went into effect overnight, with few shootings reported since then.
    Southern towns and cities announced plans to reopen schools that were kept shut for the past three days, but the recent shootings may force a re-evaluation of the situation, Israeli media reported.
    Militants did fire nine mortars and rockets in the hours after the deal took effect, but caused no damage or injury.
    A rocket struck harmlessly after nightfall near the city of Ashkelon, shattering a six-hour calm but eliciting no immediate response.
    Previous ceasefire deals after earlier rounds of fighting have often seen a slow start, with guns gradually falling silent within a day or two.
    The truce agreement followed appeals from world powers - the United States, the United Nations, France, the European Union and the Arab League - for both sides to exercise restraint.
    Gaza's Hamas Islamist leadership has kept out of the fighting and seemed eager to avoid a larger conflict with Israel.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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