A ceasefire started taking effect in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after five days of intense fighting between Palestine's Hamas and Fatah factions that left 34 people dead.
However, previous truce agreements agreed upon in recent weeks of factional clashes had quickly collapsed. So it appeared unlikely that the two sides would comply with all the terms of the current agreement, such as handing over all those involved in the killings and abductions.
In the past, Hamas and Fatah gunmen had used lull periods to prepare for the next round of fighting.
The shaky truce deal, struck by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, and Rauhi Fattouh, an envoy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, came as a two-month ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians was shattered by a Palestinian suicide bomber in the Israeli resort town of Eilat on Monday, killing three bystanders and himself.
Israeli leaders have hinted that a military response was being considered.
Early on Tuesday, Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel dug by the Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel border. The Israeli military said the tunnel was meant to be used by militants to attack Israel.
In the past, militants had dug such tunnels to attack Israeli army outposts and other installations.
Israel has been observing a truce with the Palestinians in Gaza since November 2006, and the air strike appeared to signal that the suicide bombing at Eilat has put that ceasefire in danger.
In Gaza City, gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the night, but the shooting stopped at about 5 a.m. local time – many hours after the ceasefire deal was struck.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas said the agreement stipulates that all security forces return to their bases, that suspects in the killings are to be handed over, and that all hostages still being held are to be released. Also, all roadblocks set up by the two factions are to be removed.
Fatah spokesman Maher Mekdad said his group would stand by the truce. "Despite all the bitterness and sadness that we are feeling, we will work to make it succeed," he said.
However, the underlying cause of the fighting – the fierce power struggle between Hamas and Fatah – has not been resolved.
Coalition talks have broken down and appear unlikely to resume soon.
Menwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is determined to go ahead with calling early elections, a plan denounced by Hamas as a coup attempt.Labels: International Politics |
