The deposed government of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza warned Thursday of violating a six-month fragile ceasefire brokered by Egypt and implemented in the Gaza Strip last week.
"We reiterate that the Egyptian-brokered truce is a national interest that was agreed upon according to a national consensus, so anyone violates it, would be legally responsible," said Taher al-Noono, Hamas government's spokesman.
Palestinian Hamas militants take part in a training exercise in Gaza June 24, 2008. Militants in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip fired several rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday, breaching a five-day-old ceasefire after Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
The armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement on Thursday marked the second serious Palestinian violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah, in a statement sent to the reporters, claimed responsibility for firing two home-made rockets into Sderot and Ashkelon cities in southern Israel.
Israeli sources told Israeli Radio that two homemade rockets, fired from the Gaza Strip, landed in open spaces in the Western Negev area, causing no injuries or damage.
Palestinian Hamas militants take part in a training exercise in Gaza June 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
"We warn those who play with the highest national interest to achieve the truce for ending the blockade," said al-Noono.
He added that his government "would never let those who release statements of treachery to play with the interests of our people, and we will take the proper steps to protect our people from them."
The al-Aqsa brigades of Fatah movement said the attack was to stress its stance that the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel must include West Bank.
The six-month ceasefire took effect in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip a week ago and left the West Bank for advanced phases.
Hamas controls Gaza since it ousted Abbas' Fatah movement and routed pro-Abbas forces in June 2007.
On Tuesday, the Islamic Jihad movement breached the deal and fired three rockets into Sderot to retaliate for the killing of one of its militants in West Bank.
As a result of Tuesday rocket fire, Israel stopped the opening of commercial crossing points into Gaza while Hamas said it was still committed to the ceasefire.
(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2008)
