BICOM

For the first time since a truce came into effect on 26 August, a mortar was fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel yesterday evening. However, Hamas denied any knowledge of the attack and reportedly arrested those responsible following Israeli pressure.

The mortar shell apparently landed in Israeli territory near the Gaza border between the Sdot Negev and Eshkol regions. Army Radio reported that local residents heard an explosion but that there were no injuries or damage. Nonetheless, it was the first instance of rocket fire since Operation Protective Edge ended. During the 50-day conflict, 4,562 rockets and mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip, 3,641 of which exploded in Israeli territory.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denied any knowledge of the mortar attack, saying, “There is no sign a mortar bomb was fired from Gaza and Palestinian factions are committed to keep the agreement for calm, and eager to maintain it.”

There was no official response from the IDF or Israeli defence officials. However, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who headed Israel’s delegation in recent peace talks called for a decisive response, commenting, “This is a test of Israel’s deterrent force … The lack of an adequate response will reintroduce the routine of [rocket] alarms to the citizens of Israel.” Head of the Eshkol Regional Council, Haim Yellin said “we will not accept sporadic fire toward our communities,” adding, “We expect the government to act to bring quiet to the region.”

However, it was later reported by Israel Radio that Israel had made it clear to Hamas that the IDF would enter the fray if it did not itself take action. Apparently Hamas subsequently apprehended the perpetrators as it is “disturbed by the situation” according to an Israeli military source.

The Egyptian-brokered truce called on Israeli and Hamas delegations to renew indirect negotiations within a month in order to agree a longer-lasting Gaza ceasefire. No date has yet been set for such talks to take place.