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Hamas Rivals Violating Ceasefire

Olmert promises to strike back after rocket attacks

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 1, 2009 3:35 PM CST

(Newser) – 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.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, speaks as Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, left, looks on during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)

A Palestinian Hamas member walks through the debris of a destroyed Hamas security compound, which includes the central jail, in Gaza City, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A Palestinian boy plays on the street as a makeshift dwelling is seen atop destroyed homes in east Jebaliya, northern Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

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Hamas have internalized the extent of the physical and moral blow inflicted upon it.
- Israeli Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin

We won't return to the rules of the game that terror groups have tried to dictate and we won't be dragged into a never-ending shooting war. - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

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Hamas Rivals Violating Ceasefire