Palestinian militants fire rockets into Israel for 2nd time since truce

By Xinhua,

Gaza : The armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement on Thursday committed a second serious Palestinian violations of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip.


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Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah, in a statement sent to the reporters, claimed responsibility for firing two home-made rockets into Sderot city in southern Israel.

The brigades said the attack was to stress its stance that the Gaza ceasefire between Palestinian militants group led by Hamas and Israel must include the West Bank.

Israeli sources said earlier in the day two rockets, fired from the Gaza Strip, landed in open spaces in western Negev, causing no injuries or damage.

The six-month ceasefire took effect in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip a week ago, leaving the West Bank staying out of it in the early phases.

On Tuesday, the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement breached the deal by firing three rockets into Sderot to retaliate the killing of one of its militants in the West Bank.

As a result of Tuesday rocket fire, Israel stopped the opening of commercial crossing points into Gaza while Hamas said it was still committed to the ceasefire.

Hamas controls Gaza since it ousted rival Fatah movement and security forces loyal to Abbas in June 2007.

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