Sixth Qassam fired at Israel since start of truce; Fayyad initiates Fatah-Hamas reconciliation

A Qassam rocket was fired from Gaza into the western Negev region yesterday afternoon marking the sixth rocket to be fired since the ceasefire was agreed upon. The rocket landed in an open field near Kibbutz Sha'ar Hanegev causing no damage or injuries. In addition to the rockets fired, terror organizations also fired five mortar shells since the ceasefire took effect.

In response to the latest rocket strike, Defence Minister Ehud Barak yesterday ordered the closure of the crossings with the Gaza Strip. A defence official said the crossings will remain closed today. The crossings were reopened on Wednesday following a closure due to previous attacks and yesterday more than 70 trucks of supplies were transferred into the strip. A defence official said that Hamas was making an effort to prevent rocket attacks, however Israel would take action if attacks occurred. "Hamas is desperate to have the crossings opened. This is the only way to pressure them to curb the other factions and prevent the rocket fire," the official said.

In related events, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad recently presented a national reconciliation plan for rival groups Fatah and Hamas. At the crux of the plan is an initiative to deploy an Egyptian security delegation to the Gaza Strip; it will act as an arbitrator between the opposing sides and supervise the disarmament of Palestinian groups and unification of security organisations.

Under this deal, the Palestinian Authority will ask Egypt to dispatch a security delegation to the Strip, and possibly even a military force to oversee the implementation of the security. This agreement will also include a process for disarming Palestinian groups. Initially there will be no attempt to require Hamas or the other factions to surrender their arms, but they will have to promise not to make use of them. Secondly, a transition government will be set up, which will be responsible for both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and which will comprise officials unaffiliated with any party and acceptable to both Fatah and Hamas. Third, Hamas and Fatah will agree on a date for presidential and parliamentary elections, in order to resolve the current political deadlock.

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