Hamas Rivals Violating Ceasefire

Israel’s military intelligence chief says Hamas “is conducting serious soul-searching on its strategic mistakes and operational failures" in the wake of the Gaza war, the Jerusalem Post reports. Rival Palestinian groups “are challenging the organization and carrying out attacks in order to bring on another escalation,” he told the Israeli cabinet this morning. “Hamas is deterred and respecting the ceasefire, but not doing enough to discourage the others.”

At today’s meeting, PM Ehud Olmert condemned Palestinian rocket attacks that struck southern Israel this morning, promising “a response that will essentially be disproportionate.” A Hamas spokesman accused Olmert of trying to "find false pretexts to increase its aggression" and thwart Egyptian mediation efforts during the fragile two-week ceasefire.
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