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Israel Scales Back Gaza Offensive

Posted Mar 10, 08 8:16 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Israel is reining in its Gaza offensive after seeing a big reduction in cross-border rocket fire over the weekend, the BBC reports. But Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said there was no truce in place. “The fighting is ongoing and will at times increase or decrease,” he said, saying that a lapse in rocket fire would lead to “quiet day(s).”

Only three rockets have been fired since last Friday, Haaretz reports. Egypt has stepped up efforts to mediate an official ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as neither acknowledges the other diplomatically. Israel’s offensive has killed at least 120 so far, many of them civilians. “If they don't fire Qassams at us, we won't attack in Gaza,” Ehud Olmert promised last week.

Sources BBC, Haaretz (Israel)

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Masked Palestinian militants from Hamas burn a mock coffin bearing a representation of an Israeli flag during a rally by the group in Bureij, central Gaza Strip, Friday, March 7, 2008. Hamas militants...   (Associated Press)
Pro-Palestinians supporters hold a demonstration in front of the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles to protest ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Friday, March 7, 2008. An...   (Associated Press)
Israeli soldiers are seen at a staging area along the Israel-Gaza border, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)   (Associated Press)
A masked Palestinian carries a mock rocket as he participates in a Hamas rally in Bureij, central Gaza Strip, Friday, March 7, 2008. Hamas militants backtracked Friday on an earlier claim of responsibility...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian girls shouts slogans during a rally marking International Women's Day in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Saturday, March 8, 2008. Palestinian women in the West Bank and Gaza Strip marked...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is seen during a welcoming ceremony at the Prime Minister's Jerusalem office, Monday, March 10, 2008. Olmert has instructed the army to halt air strikes and raids into...   (Associated Press)
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Israel • Hamas • Ehud Olmert • Israel and Palestinians • Gaza Strip • ceasefire • rocket attacks • Ehud Barak • Qassam


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