GAZA CITY/RAMALLAH, 14 September 2007 — Israeli aircraft fired on a car carrying Palestinian fighters in the northern Gaza Strip yesterday after Palestinian groups vowed no letup in cross-border rocket attacks during the month of Ramadan.
At least one Islamic Jihad militant was injured in the Israeli attack, which came two days after the group claimed joint responsibility for firing a makeshift rocket that injured at least 35 Israeli soldiers in a training camp for conscripts.
Hamas’ government in the Gaza Strip yesterday called on fighters to stop firing rockets and mortar bombs at border crossings with Israel that are used to bring food and other supplies into the territory.
A government spokesman said such attacks should be stopped to “preserve the interest of the Palestinian people,” especially during Ramadan, which began this week. Militant groups said they would consider the request on crossings, but have made clear they have no intention of stopping cross-border attacks on Israel.
An Israeli Army spokesman said the car that was targeted yesterday had been carrying fighters “on their way to fire rockets at Israel.”
The car was carrying four Islamic Jihad members, including a local commander, fighters said. At least two makeshift rockets were fired at Israel early yesterday morning. No damage or injuries were reported, the army said.
Gaza’s main border crossings have been closed since Hamas took over the coastal strip in June. But Israel allows aid groups to use smaller crossings, including Kerem Shalom, Nahal Oz, Erez and Sofa, to bring in food, medicine, fuel and other basic supplies for Gaza’s 1.5 million residents. Rocket attacks on these crossings have forced aid groups to temporarily call off some shipments.
Meanwhile, Hamas and Fatah are resuming indirect contacts for the purpose of ending the ongoing stalemate between the two rivals and to restore the Palestinian national unity following the Hamas violent takeover of Gaza Strip last June, a report said yesterday. According to a Hamas-affiliated website, the indirect contacts, which could soon grow into direct talks, are being sponsored in part by the government of Saudi Arabia.
As of late reports, the Israeli government has been moving into high gear with regards to the planned “agreement of principles” with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Perhaps Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert is doing so to appease the United States which is sponsoring the upcoming international conference on Middle East peace, or possibly for reasons pertaining to the political survival of the Israeli government and the person who heads it.
When former Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon declared his plan to disengage from Gaza Strip in 2005, he received favorable media coverage, his corruption files in the State Prosecutor’s Office were closed and he achieved a coalition with the Labour Party. Olmert is trying to follow in his footsteps; Sharon was safeguarded by the media from all harm because of the disengagement.
