For the first time since Operation Cast Lead, Hamas on Thursday officially condemned rocket fire towards Israel. Hamas did not denounce attacks on civilians or promise to halt rocket attacks completely, but rather stated that the rockets are fired “at an inappropriate time.”
In a statement released by the Hamas-led Interior Ministry in Gaza, the terror organization said it did not have any connection to recent rocket attacks on southern Israel. The ministry further announced that its security apparatus is investigating the attacks and will find the responsible parties.
On Tuesday, a senior commander in the Islamic Jihad's al-Kuds Brigade reported that Hamas had arrested 10 Jihad terrorists. Among those arrested was the group's senior field commander, who was detained for firing rockets at Israel.
The source told the Aliof news site that Hamas members threatened the 10 and demanded that they desist from firing rockets. Only after the Jihadis promised not to shoot were they released.
“One of the senior security members attached to Hamas in Gaza announced it arrested people who were obligated to preserve the lull and not fire rockets,” the source added.
The Hamas leadership has expressed interest in reaching a temporary ceasefire with Israel. The group has called for Israel to halt all counterterrorism measures and allow supplies to be imported and exported through its crossings in the Negev. In exchange, Gaza terrorists would halt their attacks for the length of the ceasefire, but would continue smuggling weapons, an activity that Hamas has termed “a national right.”
A previous temporary ceasefire between Israel and Gaza was violated dozens of times as terrorists continued to fire on southern cities despite the truce agreement.
On Sunday, a Kuwaiti paper reported that a meeting between Hamas and Islamic Jihad representatives was conducted on Friday regarding the continuation of rocket fire. Jihad representatives claimed in response that the firing was done in response to the elimination of their men by Israel.
Gaza terrorists have fired more than 160 rockets at southern Israeli since Operation Cast Lead in Gaza ended in January. Israel has responded by bombing smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza, and recently resumed assassinating senior terrorists as well.