- Title: ISRAEL/GAZA: Israel-Hamas truce begins
- Date: 19th June 2008
- Summary: (W2) SDEROT, ISRAEL (JUNE 19, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF STREETS SHORTLY AFTER TRUCE TOOK EFFECT (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) SDEROT RESIDENT, LIOR YEHUDAI, SAYING: "Even two days ago there were no rocket (attacks) but it does not mean that tomorrow there will not be rockets, or in two or three days." (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) SDEROT RESIDENT, DAVID YEHUDAI, SAYING: "The question is different - what is the essence of this truce? It means only one thing - a reorganisation of Hamas. Hamas emerged (from this cease fire) a victor in the eyes of its voters. It will provide them with some food and clothing."
- Embargoed: 4th July 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAB35V9OT0GCOSMPE3V2TEW1ALE
- Story Text: Palestinian and Israelis, weary of violence, express hopes the Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and militants in Gaza will hold.
Israel and Hamas halted fighting in the Gaza Strip on Thursday (June 19) but, with peace prospects dim, both sides voiced doubt over how long the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire might hold.
The truce began at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT) after another day of cross-border violence. Dozens of short-range Palestinian rockets and mortar bombs hit south Israel, without causing serious damage. Israeli air strikes hurt several Gazan gunmen.
"Now that calm agreement has started at six o'clock, we call upon the Israel enemy to abide by the agreement and to translate it on the ground by stopping all forms of aggression against our people, and preparing for lifting the siege, and opening the crossings," said Hamas official Sami abu Zuri from Gaza City.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday (June 18) the "'calm' is fragile and likely to be short-lived."
For Hamas, which routed the forces of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to take over Gaza a year ago, suspending hostilities should spell some relief from an Israeli-led blockade on the impoverished coastal territory.
But Hamas's Izz El-Deen al-Qassam Brigade, the Islamist group's armed wing, said in a statement issued as the truce went into effect, that the cease-fire was "not in anyway a free gift," to Israel, and warned of any violations by the Jewish state.
"Qassam Brigades is fully ready to launch a military strike that would shake the Zionist entity if they did not abide by all the items of the calm deal and the Zionist enemy would be responsible for any foolish act they may commit," the statement said.
Though Hamas refuses to recognise Israel, their indirect dealings via Cairo could also help the faction gain legitimacy in the West and reconciliation with Abbas, who is in the midst of U.S.-sponsored peace negotiations with Olmert.
Gaza and Sderot residents voiced doubt over how long the cease-fire might hold.
"I wish they will open the crossings, and get products, so we can live like other nations with dignity," said Gaza resident Muhammad Anan at the local market.
"Even two days ago there were no rocket (attacks) but it does not mean that tomorrow there will not be rockets, or in two or three days,"
said Lior Yehudai from Sderot.
"The question is different - what is the essence of this truce? It means only one thing - a reorganisation of Hamas. Hamas emerged (from this cease fire) a victor in the eyes of its voters. It will provide them with some food and clothing," added his brother David Yehudai.
In light of the regional calm Gaza fishermen returned to work. Some said they had not been able to work due to the conflict.
"We want to live like other nations in peace and security. We do not like war. We want to work in a peaceful situation. We were not allowed to enter the sea for more than two and a half years," Nasser Abu Amira, a fisherman said.
Israel kept fuel and commercial crossings open for humanitarian supplies but Rafah border point, Gaza's main gateway to the outside world, remained close.
Western officials said Israel planned to allow in a slightly higher number of truckloads of goods starting on Sunday, provided the truce was still in place. The Palestinians have demand the full flow of imports restored.
Hamas rules Gaza but smaller Palestinian armed groups have in the past defied its ceasefire calls. The most recent Gaza truce, in November 2006, broke down quickly.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh voiced confidence all factions would respect Thursday's deal out of a sense of "national responsibility".
On an unusually conciliatory note, Haniyeh told reporters the truce could offer "comfort" to Israelis who have suffered shelling from Gaza. But Hamas made clear it would not stop training and arms its fighters and was ready to resume attacks.
"We have no illusions that the Occupation (Israel) has good intentions toward our people, and should the Occupation foil the calm, it would mean a return to an even stronger resistance,"
said Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the faction's armed wing.
The truce does not cover the occupied West Bank, where Abbas holds sway and where Israeli troops regularly operate. Bloodshed there could potentially trigger reprisals from Gaza.
Another variable is ongoing talks, mediated by Cairo, on the return of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza for almost two years.
Israeli officials said the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt depended on a deal to free Sergeant Gilad Shalit.
"Israel wants the calm in the south to last. We will strictly abide by our commitments to the Egyptians. We will be watching Hamas very closely," Israeli govrnment David Baker said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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