Four Gaza factions announce rocket cease-fire with Israel

[Jefferson23]

6/04/2010

Four Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip will cease firing Qassam rockets at Israel, they announced yesterday. The move followed significant pressure from Hamas on the three smaller factions - Islamic Jihad and the Popular and Democratic Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine. Hamas has controlled the territory since the summer of 2007. It failed to persuade small, break-away groups to adhere to the cease-fire.

Palestinian sources said the announcedment followed a meeting Saturday of representatives of the four factions.

Daud Shihab, an Islamic Jihad spokesman, said its leadership had met and decided to cease rocket attacks against Irael. However, reports from the Palestinian News Agency yesterday included denials from Jihad members that such a decision was made. The denials are interpreted as Islamic Jihad's not wishing to give the impression to the Palestinian public that it has succumbed to Hamas pressure.



For its part Hamas appears keen to prevent the possibility of yet another massive Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip, and yesterday there were reports of a rise in the number of patrols by Hamas forces in areas where rockets are normally fired at Israel.

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1161096.html

[Scurrilous]

1. Good news.

:thumbsup:

[Jefferson23]

2. It is a smart decision, and absolutely good news, agreed. n/t

[Violet_Crumble]

3. Good. Let's hope it works n/t

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. How did you beat Oberliner to this story? I'm in shock!

[LeftishBrit]

5. A positive development! Here's hoping it works.