BICOM

A second ceasefire intended to end rocket attacks on Israel’s south was reached yesterday afternoon, according to Israeli media reports. Israeli officials said that the ceasefire was achieved through Egyptian mediation between Hamas and the smaller Palestinian organisations responsible for the current round of violence. Initial claims that an understanding had been reached on Sunday evening collapsed, as rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli communities overnight. However, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), the Palestinian organisation responsible for the coordinated terror attacks last Thursday that triggered the current round of violence, held a press conference in Gaza yesterday, in which they pledged to abide by a temporary ceasefire reached between Hamas and other Palestinian groups in Gaza.  Israeli officials stressed that the ceasefire was between the Palestinian organisations, and that no direct negotiations took place between Israel and Hamas.

According to Israeli reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israel’s cabinet on Sunday evening to discuss Israel’s response to the attacks from Gaza.  The ministers were briefed by senior security officials, whilst both Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak argued against any escalation of the situation, and for finding ways to contain the situation.  The cabinet voted to avoid any activity that could cause an increase in violence in the south, thereby participating indirectly in the ceasefire. According to an article in Haaretz, Netanyahu and Barak advised against a wider operation against Hamas in Gaza at this time because of concerns about worsening relations with Egypt, the fact that the Iron Dome missile defence system has still been deployed only in part, and the need to maintain Israel’s diplomatic position in the build-up to the expected UN vote on Palestinian statehood in September.