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Israeli-Palestinian Cease Fire Violated by Palestinian Militants

A cease fire negotiated by Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, lasted only a few hours, beginning at 6 am local time. Within several hours Palestinian militants fired a single rocket at the Israeli town Sderot. The rocket attack didn`t cause much damage and didn`t injure anyone but it did dampen the mood generated by the latest ceasefire.

Although the attack did not claim life or cause any serious damage both militant groups the Hamas` military wing and the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the launch. Ghazi Hamad, who us a spokesman for the Hamas government said an investigation, to find those responsible for the rocket attack and the violation of the ceasefire, will be launched immediately. The Hamas government has little control over portions of its military wing which receives orders from Hamas headquarters in Damascus

Amir Peretz, the Israeli Defense Minister, who learned of the rocket attack during a scheduled security meeting, said that any attack on Israel will be seen as a violation of the ceasefire and will be retaliated in a "a severe manner. Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for the Israeli government said: "We think that there`s the possibility of hope here," she added. "What we hope is that the violence itself will stop, and we`ll be able to see a little bit of peace and quiet in and around the Gaza Strip." Alex Conant, a spokesman for the Whitehouse said: "We welcome the announcement," adding. "We hope it leads to less violence for the Israeli and Palestinian people."