Im not saying that Hamas is now Gandhi like or anything. But it certainly undercuts those theories that Palestinians are genetically predisposed to wanting to kill all Jews-especially the part about the PA.

 

 

Hamas says it will stop attacks from Gaza

 

Israel arrests 206 terror suspects in West Bank

 

 

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- The militant group Hamas announced Sunday it will stop attacks against Israelis from Gaza, after three days of violence that threatened fragile efforts toward peace between Israel and Palestinians.

 

"We are calling our militant group to stop their activities against the Israeli occupation outside Gaza strip," Hamas' leader in Gaza Mahmoud al-Zahar said at a news conference.

 

The decision followed pressure from Israel and from within the Palestinian Authority, and amid Israeli missile strikes and the arrests of more than 200 alleged Palestinian militants.

 

Al-Zahar cited an "internal Palestinian agreement" in calling for an end to "all the militant nature" of the celebration to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

 

Meanwhile, Sunday evening, Israeli aircraft fired rockets on a Palestinian vehicle traveling south of Gaza City, Israeli military officials said.

 

Two Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants were killed and have been identified as Mohammed Sheikh Khalil, a field commander also known as Kalil al Marashi, and Mohammed Baroon, said Palestinian security officials and Islamic Jihad sources.

 

Israel and the U.S. State Department considers both Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorist organizations.

 

At a Cabinet meeting earlier Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he had instructed "that there are no restrictions on the use of any measures in order to strike at the terrorists, their equipment and where they find shelter."

 

He added, "The instructions are unequivocal; we do not mean a one-time action here."

 

Violence escalated Friday when a vehicle blew up at a Hamas rally in Gaza, killing 19 people. Hamas militants blamed Israel and fired at least three dozen Qassam rockets into Israel, wounding at least five civilians, Israeli officials said.

 

The Palestinian Authority has called the blast an accident. Israel has denied any responsibility and accused Palestinian militants of setting off a blast intended against Israelis.

 

Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres called Hamas "a danger" to Palestinians and the region.

 

After the Hamas rocket attacks, Israel launched missile strikes into northern and southern Gaza Saturday night against what it called "weaponry manufacturing infrastructure." Targets included sites in Gaza City, Jebaliya and Khan Yunis.

 

Israel also arrested at least 206 wanted Palestinians in the West Bank, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, an Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman told CNN. She said arrests were ongoing.

 

The missile strikes killed two Palestinian militants from Hamas as they traveled by car east of Gaza City Saturday, said Palestinian security officials.

 

One of the dead was identified as Rawad Farhat, the officials said.

 

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat urged Israel to avoid violence and for President Bush to intervene.

 

Israel's military actions, he said, "lead in one direction, the collapse of the cease-fire, which serves no side's interests."

 

Richard Jones, U.S. ambassador to Israel, blamed Hamas. "We all know that the terrorists are trying to provoke Israel at a very sensitive time, and we understand exactly what the government's position is and the response it has taken," he said.

 

The outbreak in violence was the first since Israel's withdrawal from Gaza last month, a step widely viewed as a new impetus for peace efforts between the two sides.

 

Israel has criticized the Palestinian Authority for refusing to arrest and prosecute those who take part in terrorist attacks. Officials said the Palestinian Authority cannot claim a true "cease-fire," while militant groups attack Israeli officials with impunity.

 

Palestinian leaders have said lifting arms against militants could escalate violence.

Yea, this is the first time they've said something like this. I trust them. :plain

:lol :lol :rofl

 

 

Sorry, but forgive me for being skeptical. He has only said that about 200 times in the past few years only leading to more attacks by Hamas.

both sides are guilty as hell in all that is going on out there.

 

 

 

take away jerusalem from all of them and it will take away a major pawn for them to play with.

both sides are guilty as hell in all that is going on out there.

 

 

 

take away jerusalem from all of them and it will take away a major pawn for them to play with.

 

 

That whole deal is screwed up. It should have never been given away in the first place.