Through talks mediated by Egypt, a truce between Israel and Hamas took hold on Thursday morning.
"This calm is fragile and is liable to be short-lived", Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a conference on Wednesday.
For seven years—especially after the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and the terrorist organization Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007—Israeli communities alongside the Gaza Strip have been subjected to a relentless barrage of rockets and mortar, to which the Israeli security forces responded with low intensity warfare.
As a result of Israeli pressure and continued suffering of civilians, a proposal came about to end terrorism in the Gaza Strip and related Israeli military operations. This initiative led to the truce, which took hold on Thursday, 6 a.m.
"Hamas and the other terrorist organizations have not changed and have not become patrons of peace. These are contemptible and bloodthirsty terrorists", said Olmert.
"If the firing and terrorist actions continue Israel will be compelled to act in order to halt the threat against its citizens", he said.
Olmert explained that as Prime Minister he has obligation to bring about peace and security for the residents in the south.
Olmert said on Tuesday that the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier that was kidnapped about two years ago, is an integral part of truce terms. Media reported that Shalit's parents were angry that the truce took hold before Shalit's release was made.
The PM will go to Cairo next week to advance negotiations regarding Shalit's release.
Feeds