TEL AVIV — Palestinian gunners continued to fire missiles into
Israel as at least four groups said they would not honor a ceasefire
arranged by the Palestinian Authority.
On Sunday, Palestinian gunners fired Kassam-class, short-range missiles
from the northern Gaza Strip into Israel. The missiles did not cause
injuries.
The missile strike took place less than an hour after the ceasefire
became effective at 6 a.m. The PA had pledged that the ceasefire would
include all groups.
"We will discuss this," PA spokesman Ghazi Hamad said. "We signed on
this [ceasefire agreement]. We don't want to say that we have reached a
point where there is no agreement. We believe in this."
At least six missiles were fired into Israel within four hours of the
ceasefire, which officials said does not include a halt on weapons smuggling
into the Gaza Strip. One of them landed in the southern Israeli city of
Sderot and damaged a home.
Later, the ruling Hamas movement acknowledged firing Kassam missiles
during the ceasefire. A Hamas statement cited Israel's military presence in
the Gaza Strip. Later, Israel's military withdrew its troops from the area.
Still, at least four Palestinian groups aligned with the Hamas-led PA
said they would not honor the ceasefire. They were identified as the Popular
Resistance Committees, Islamic Jihad, Islamic Army and the Abu Rish
Brigades.
On Monday, the PRC commander in the northern West Bank, Abdul Razik
Nasser, was killed in a gun battle with Israeli troops in Jenin. The PRC has
pledged to avenge the killing.
Palestinian sources said Jihad participated in Sunday's missile strikes.
The Iranian-sponsored group said that despite an earlier commitment it would
not observe the ceasefire, arranged by the United States last week.
"It is not possible to talk about a truce while the assassination
operations, incursions, arrests and policy of destruction are continued by
the Israelis," Jihad's military wing said.
Later, Abbas ordered loyalist forces to deploy in the northern Gaza
Strip. Palestinian sources said 13,000 troops were stationed to prevent
missile fire. The last Palestinian missile launch was reported at 10 a.m.
Sunday.
"This ceasefire will allow Palestinian terrorist groups to reorganize,"
Israeli opposition parliamentarian Effie Eitam said. "This proves how
easily Abu Mazen [Abbas] can organize a ceasefire to provide a breather."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he would give the Palestinians several
days to implement their ceasefire commitment. Olmert has ordered the
military not to respond to Palestinian missile fire.
''Even though there are still violations of the ceasefire by the
Palestinian side, I have instructed our defense officials not to respond, to
show restraint, and to give this ceasefire a chance to take full effect,''
Olmert said.
