Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., December 20, 2007 Tevet 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Hanukkah

Palestinians mourning Islamic Jihad militants killed in IAF strikes Tuesday in the Gaza Strip. (Reuters) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 18:43 19/12/2007 Mofaz: Israel should mull indirect talks with Hamas over Qassams By Mazal Mualem, Avi Issacharoff and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondents, AP, and Haaretz Service Tags: Gaza, Qassam, Sderot, mortar Israel should not rule out indirect negotiations with Hamas in an effort to halt Qassam rocket fire at southern Israel, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz told Army Radio on Wednesday. "Mediation is something we can think about but one thing needs to be clear," Mofaz told Army Radio. "This subject is the responsibility of Hamas and the terror groups and as long as these firings and terror from inside the strip won't stop we must continue this policy and not stop for even one hour." Mofaz was reacting to what the radio said was an invitation by Gaza's Hamas ruler, Ismail Haniyeh, to launch talks. Advertisement "Israel will not stop its air strikes against the group and other militants that are involved in the incessant rocket fire from the Gaza Strip," Mofaz said. Cabinet minister Ami Ayalon also said Israel should not rule out speaking to "anyone" in order to stop rocket attacks from Gaza, but urged caution to ensure a ceasefire would not lead to a strengthening of Hamas. President Shimon Peres on Wednesday ruled out Israeli negotiations with Hamas, and dismissed an announcement by the Islamist group that it was prepared to discuss a ceasefire as "pathetic and misleading". The ceasefire call by Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was nothing more than "an attempt to divert international attention away from the crimes of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, as expressed in the organized launchings from the Gaza Strip of rockets and mortars on innocent Israeli citizens," Peres said in a statement. "If Hamas and Islamic Jihad stop firing rockets at our women and children, Israel will immediately hold its fire, so there is no need for negotiations," said the President. Earlier Wednesday, a mortar fired from the Gaza Strip at the western Negev struck near an Israel Defense Forces base in Zikim, which serves as a training facility for non-combat personnel. Six female soldiers were treated for shock. Palestinians fired some 15 mortar shells and six Qassam rockets at Israel Tuesday, causing no injuries or damage. In September, a Qassam rocket struck the same IDF base, wounding 69 soldiers, one of them critically. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged Tuesday to target terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip responsible for the rockets fired at southern Israel, after Israel Air Force raids killed at least 11 Palestinians since Monday night including the head of the Islamic Jihad military wing in Gaza. "We will continue to seek out the heads of the terror organizations and strike at them," Olmert said at a Kadima meeting in Jerusalem last night. "We will get all those who are responsible for firing rockets on the communities near Gaza and on Sderot." "Events in the field speak and will speak for themselves, and I think the terror organizations feel this and will continue to feel this in full force in the near future," he said. "I think that in the past two days, more people understand that a war is underway there. This war will not cease." Israeli security officials signaled that other Islamic Jihad leaders could be targeted, saying Israel has drawn up plans to hit the heads of the organization as well as activists involved in firing rockets and other attacks. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said after meeting with James L. Jones, the special United States envoy for Middle East security, that Israel would not let up in its offensive in Gaza, but warned that the militants' threats of revenge must be taken seriously. "I hope these successes continue," Barak said. "At the same time we must be on our guard for the responses that may come from the other side." Three Islamic Jihad operatives and two Hamas police officers were killed in two separate Israeli air strikes Tuesday morning, and six Palestinians were killed the night before. Among the dead were Majed Harazin, Islamic Jihad's charismatic military commander for Gaza and the West Bank, and master rocket-maker Karim al-Dahdouh. "There is no doubt that this is a big loss," said Khader Habib, an Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza. Islamic Jihad countered with a threat to resume suicide bombings in Israel, as thousands of Gazans took to the streets in funeral processions for the dead militants, many firing assault rifles. In northern Gaza, bullets from the rifles of mourners severed an electric wire that fell and injured five people, medics said. "The blood of our comrades will be the fuel for the rockets that will bring death and destruction to the Zionists," Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Hamza told reporters. Islamic Jihad officials instructed their operatives to avoid using cellular phones and traveling in vehicles, in an effort to keep Israel from killing more of them. Related articles: Palestinian officials: IDF Gaza actions may sabotage talks Hamas: Advanced defense plan ready for when IDF enters Gaza Israel vows to press ahead with campaign against Gaza militants 30 tons of explosives smuggled into Gaza since disengagement Bookmark to del.icio.us Religious discrimination Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch rejects Israel's Jewish identity in a pre-Christmas speech. Patriot protection The IDF successfully tested an improved defense missile in anticipation of attacks.   1.   Mofaz got a freebee for his responsibility of IDF unpreparadness 10:13  |  Absolute Sweden 19/12/07   2.   scared shi-less is not "shock" 10:23  |  Steve 19/12/07   3.   re: Steve 11:24  |  Efox 19/12/07   4.   to Absolute Sweden #1 11:52  |  dovale 19/12/07   5.   These poor IDF girls 12:17  |  Clickfool 19/12/07   6.   5Clickfool,they turned & ran last year in Lebanon when they 14:08  |  lakshmi 19/12/07   7.   Isreal has every right to fight terror, tooth and nail! 14:35  |  Clickfool 19/12/07   8.   Talks thru gun , that`s what arabs only mentality respect. 15:07  |  Joseph E . 19/12/07   9.   Try something positive..... 15:35  |  Esther 19/12/07   10.   Mofaz: Israel should mull indirect talks with Hamas over Qassams 17:07  |  steve 19/12/07   11.   " Peres rejects calls for talks with Hamas ..." 17:10  |  Esther 19/12/07   12.   It is best if Mofaz works on the tasks assigned him, in the 17:13  |  Anat 19/12/07   13.   Talk with Hamastan? 17:14  |  Brod 19/12/07   14.   Clickfool/Lak(ofbrains)shmi 18:29  |  Mark 19/12/07   15.   ISR should meet Hamas` bold move 19:28  |  Gabistan 19/12/07   16.   dovale,would you let yourself be operated by a Doc who screwed up 19:30  |  Absolute Sweden 19/12/07   17.   Talking and Doing 20:15  |  Larry 19/12/07   18.   Talking and Doing Part 2 20:20  |  Larry 19/12/07   19.   Talking and Doing Part 3 20:25  |  Larry 19/12/07   20.   The Daily Dose Of Qassam Propaganda 20:35  |  chet 19/12/07   21.   Common Sense 21:19  |  Arnie 19/12/07   22.   mr mofaz do your job as a road minister 22:45  |  reuven 19/12/07   23.   Why not? 22:49  |  Mark Lincoln 19/12/07   24.   Response to # 5 Clickfool the idiot 00:22  |  Shepherd 20/12/07   25.   #20 Chet - It`s easy for you to criticize 16:35  |  * BEN JABO 20/12/07

Today Online Experts: Far right will up violence in future settlement evacuation Responses: 86 Israeli Arab group seeks 'supranational regime in historic Palestine' Responses: 131 Harel: Palestinians live in squalid refugee camps by choice Responses: 43 Carlo Strenger: Time for us to stop using the term 'Zionist' Responses: 25 American Zionist group slams U.S. gov't on campus anti-Semitism Responses: 60 Rosner's Domain Huckabee can 'live with a contained Iran' (What to Read) Rabin's long memory and the U.S. NIE report on Iran Guest: Leader of the Zionist Organization of America on post-Annapolis Mideast Without the Reform movement in Israel, there's no Reform movement More Headlines 16:37 Qassam hits near Negev school; four militants killed by IDF fire in Gaza 12:57 Housing Minister backtracks, says no new E. J'lem housing plan 11:16 Israel says it opposes Russian plans for Moscow peace summit 14:28 Barak: Labor Party won't support budget if stipends remain frozen 14:34 American Zionist group slams U.S. gov't on campus anti-Semitism 10:48 Experts: Extreme rightists will use violence if settlements are evacuated 13:25 Adalah center says it may seek supranational regime in 'all historic Palestine' 01:14 Assad says Syria turned down nuclear weapons offer in 2001 04:05 Gaza census bureau at center of Hamas-PA dispute over survey 16:34 Pre-state polio victims being denied NII compensation Previous Editions Select Day 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved