(Washington Post) Ibrahim Barzak - Gaza's Hamas rulers deployed forces near the Israeli border Thursday to try to prevent smaller militant groups from firing rockets, a sign that the movement fears Israeli retaliation for the escalating barrages from the Palestinian territory. Hamas leaders also called together representatives of the militant groups and told them to hold their fire, according to Hamas spokesman Taher Nunu. Hamas assembled the militant groups after Egypt warned the militant Islamic rulers of Gaza that Israel was serious about bringing the rocket fire to an end, according to a participant. At least 25 rockets and mortar shells have exploded in Israel's south this month and the frequency of rocket attacks has been creeping upward in recent weeks, according to the Israeli military. Several Israelis have been wounded.
2011-01-14 08:33:59Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive