An IDF source claims that restraint may be dangerous

A high level source within the IDF claims that Israel's restraint policy regarding the Qassam launches from Gaza since a ceasefire was declared there between Israel and the Palestinians may prove perilous.

Over 40 Qassam rockets were launched out of Gaza since the ceasefire was proclaimed. The IDF source fears that Israel's restraint may be construed as weakness by the Palestinians. Voices within the IDF call for a renewed authorization to fire upon rocket units.

Both PM Olmert and security minister Peretz have stated recently that Israel will not be able to restrain itself forever when faced by repeated rocket launches.

Israel may release funds to Abu Mazen

Israel is considering releasing some of the frozen Palestinian funds to President Abu Mazen. Israel is holding several hundreds million dollars of Palestinian taxes because it fears that it may be used to finance terrorist activity. Israel wishes to support Abu Mazen's stand against Hamas and may release a few million dollars.
The funds will be mainly used to pay the salaries of Palestinian officials and government workers.
Israel's position is that it is willing to release the funds provided that they will go to Abu Mazen and not to the Hamas government.
Abu Mazen promised, in a speech on Saturday, to pay the salaries for the thousands of government employees very soon

5 rockets launched out of Gaza since noon

The Islamic Jihad terror organization claimed responsibility for the firing of 5 rockets out of the Gaza Strip into Israel. The 5 rockets did not cause injuries.

Islamic Jihad said that the rocket launches are but the first of many retaliatory operations it plans to make against Israel due to the killing of two of its operatives in the West Bank earlier today.

Two Islamic Jihad terrorists killed by IDF

In an operation of the Israeli Anti-Terrorism unit, the Yamam, in the West Bank earlier today, two Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed. The two were involved in the planning and execution of several suicide bombings in Israel.

An IDF commander was suspended due to an incident yesterday in which a 14 year old Palestinian girl was killed. The girl was hit in the crossfire as IDF troops shot and killed two Fatah operatives in the West Bank. The incident is under investigation.

Fighting in Gaza

Another ceasefire lies in shambles in Gaza.
Early this morning fighting erupted between Hamas and Fatah militants. Two Fatah operatives were killed and another 7 injured in two skirmishes. This despite a ceasefire which was agreed upon late last night between Abu Mazen of the Fatah and Haniyeh of the Hamas. The two exprssed hope that the violence was over, yet it appears to not be the case.


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A new ceasefire between Fatah and Hamas

At 23:00 a new ceasefire was proclaimed between Fatah and Hamas. President Abu Mazen and PM Haniyeh agreed on the ceasefire after the previous one collapsed into renewed violence. Today six people were killed in the fighting. Both Abu Mazen and Haniyeh called on their people to respect the ceasefire.
Several sources said that gunfire can still be heard in Gaza despite the retreat of a great number of armed operatives of both factions.
Abu Mazen plans to call for early election despite Hamas's objection.
What will be made of this ceasefire is yet to be seen.


(editorial note: I would appreciate it if you, the reader, would take the time to participate in the Webpoll I published on the right hand side of this blog)