GAZA/ISRAEL: Gaza truce takes effect, Israel pledges restraint

A ceasefire between Israel and militants in Gaza took hold on Sunday (November 26) and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised restraint in response to early Palestinian truce violations. Olmert voiced hope that the deal could help revive the peacemaking process that collapsed before a Palestinian uprising began in 2000. The agreement is designed to end rocket attacks and halt a crushing Israeli army offensive that was launched after gunmen seized a soldier in a cross-border raid last June. Olmert said he hoped the soldier would now be freed. "We've had millions of agreements with the Israeli side and they have never committed to any," said one resident of Beit Hanoun as he examined the tracks left by Israeli tanks. The Israeli army pulled forces out of Gaza overnight, before the ceasefire took effect. Palestinian witnesses confirmed that soldiers had left northern Gaza, where operations against rocket-launching squads had been focused. On the streets of Jerusalem, residents expressed scepticism the ceasefire would stay intact. "It takes two sides to really really want engage in the ceasefire. From bitter previous experience I really doubt that it's going to sustain itself for a long time, I am very sad about that," said one resident. Militants fired several rockets at Israel just hours after the start of the ceasefire. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for launching at least five rockets into southern Israel on Sunday and handed out video of rockets being launched. Hamas' own armed wing and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah, also said they had launched rockets. "When the enemy commits to what was agreed on, then surely we will commit to this agreement," said Islamic Jihad Spokesman Abu Ahmad. The ceasefire could pave the way for a summit between Abbas and Olmert on ways to restart peacemaking. "I hope very much they (Palestinians) will show responsibility and goodwill. This could be the beginning of a serious, true and open, direct negotiations between us and the Palestinian Authority, between myself and Abu Mazen in order to advance in the direction of a comprehensive settlement between us and the Palestinians," Olmert told reporters in southern Israel. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, from the governing Hamas Islamist group, said all main factions had agreed -- after the initial violations -- that they now would maintain the truce. "What happened today was resolved and contacts were made with the political leaderships of the factions and there is a reaffirmation on the commitment to what has been agreed upon," Haniyeh told reporters. Abbas, a moderate, instructed security chiefs to ensure the ceasefire held. Palestinian forces in helmets and flak jackets patrolled near Gaza's borders. One official said 13,000 men were on the ground to stop rocket fire. More than 400 Palestinians, about half of them militants, have been killed in the offensive, Palestinian hospital officials and residents say. Three Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed since the assault began.

ITN Source | November 26, 2006

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