Edmonton Journal, January 18, 2009, A-1
Hours after the unilateral ceasefire went into effect, however, rockets fired from the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel, according to Israeli TV. In addition, an Israeli tank unit fired at armed gunmen in Gaza City on Sunday when troops came under fire.
Hamas defiantly vowed before the Israeli announcement that it would continue fighting as long as Israeli forces remained in Gaza.
“We will not accept the presence of a single soldier in Gaza,” Fawzi Barhum, a Gazabased Hamas spokesman, said, before restating the movement’s demands for a complete Israeli withdrawal and the opening of Gaza’s border crossings.
If Hamas chooses to “continue its wild terrorist attacks, it may find itself surprised again by the State of Israel’s determination,” Olmert said. “I do not suggest that, or any other terrorist organization test us.”
Hamas officials in exile have been adamant throughout the past week and again on Saturday that there will be no truce. But the movement’s civil wing, which rules Gaza, indicated to Egyptian negotiators last week that it was ready to observe a Cairo-backed ceasefire.
Within HOURS of Israel declaring a ceasefire, HAMAS sends rockets into Israel. 17 rockets in total.
THAT action is not what you would expect from people / groups that want a ceasefire.
Further, the EU et al, have decided the best way to end the closure of the border crossings into Gaza from israel, is to send all the aid - billions in aid, to Israeli ports ... requiring transfer through the port crossings to make it into Gaza!! Aren't they so slick ...
One other point, and I do not believe it, but should be considered, if only in passing: Unemployment in Gaza was very high. They had nothing. Hamas had a stranglehold on Gaza and prevented economic development. So - start a war, kill off thousands, more jobs open up, and when it is settled, the EU sends you billions in aid to rebuild (ending unemployment)!!
Israel
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