Ghazi Hamad, Palestinian Government spokesperson from the Hamas
movement, said on Sunday that the government will not allow any faction
to violate the ceasefire as long as Israel is committed to it. If
Israel violates the truce, there will be a unified position regarding
its continuation.
In an interview with the Ramattan News Agency, Hamad stated that the truce agreed by all factions will be tested as the Palestinian factions will stop the firing of homemade shells and Israel should stop its military offensive.
Regarding a deal to release the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, Hamad said that continuous efforts are being exerted to solve this issue, and achieve a prisoner swap deal, “but the Israeli stubbornness is delaying any swap deal”, Hamad added.
“Israel insists to enforce its own terms about who will be released, and how many”, Hamad stated.
Commenting on the internal talks regarding the formation of a National Unity Government, Hamad stated that talks are ongoing despite the obstacles “but the most important issue is that all factions agree to the formation of the unity government.
On the ground, the Al Quds brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility of firing five homemade shells at the Israeli Negev town of Sderot, in spite of the declared truce that took effect on Sunday at 6:00 a.m.
The Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, also declared responsibility for firing homemade shells at a settlement adjacent to the Gaza Strip.
Also, one armed group that belongs to Fateh movement, said that it will not agree to any ceasefire without an Israeli withdrawal from all of the occupied territories. The group calls itself Al Aqsa – Palestine brigades, claimed responsibility for firing two Aqsa 103 shells at Sderot on Sunday morning.
