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A Sderot resident standing outside a house damaged in a Qassam rocket attack on Wednesday. (AP) Last update - 12:52 19/06/2008 Eager yet untrusting, both sides of Gaza border await calm By Fadi Eyadat, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: cease-fire, Israel, Hamas  People in both the Gaza Strip and the adjacent Israeli communities are waiting in anticipation for the cease-fire to come into effect. They long for quiet and security, but both sides will exploit it to prepare for the next war. Hamas, at least according to various Israeli military officials, plans to rearm itself. The residents of Israel's border communities hope that a six-month lull will be enough to reinforce their towns and kibbutzim. "Maybe there'll be a miracle and our houses will be reinforced, maybe Iron Dome...," said Hemda Tzifroni, a member of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, referring to the missile interception system that is slated to be operational by early 2010. Advertisement The cease-fire, which is supposed to begin Thursday morning, is being met with great doubt. "The relationship between us and Hamas is based on mistrust, and we already had one or two hudnas [truces] that broke easily," Tzifroni said, "but I need that quiet like air to breathe. I want to believe it will be all right," she said. Despite the broad lawns and open expanses of the kibbutzim in the area, few children can be seen playing outside. Ofer Lieberman of Kibbutz Nir Am says they fear being unable to find shelter in the event of a rocket or mortar strike. Now people hope their children will once again be able to play outside. For a month now, Aryeh Yifrach's wife and four children have been in England. After fellow Kfar Aza kibbutz member Jimmy Kedoshim was killed by a mortar shell in his yard, on May 9, Yifrach's family left. He stayed behind, in anticipation of being called up for reserve duty in what he believed was an imminent military operation. Now, with the cease-fire approaching, he will join the family in England. They expect to stay there for the next year. "The agreement is the government's biggest disgrace," Yifrach said. "We gave in to Hamas and it is now dictating whether we have quiet here or not." Yifrach does not believe the cease-fire will provide peace and security to the area: "The agreement will blow up in our faces. They are rearming and we didn't get back Shalit ... you can't trust Hamas to do something in phase two or phase three," Yifrach said. Near the end of the interview, the Color Red air raid alert was sounded, and a few missiles landed nearby. The kibbutz security coordinator sent out an SMS to the members: "Do not wander around outside, due to the Qassam missile threat." Related articles: Israel-Hamas truce takes hold in Gaza Noam Shalit: Gaza siege mustn't be lifted until Gilad freed ANALYSIS / For truce architect, Israel chose lesser of two evils New dawn for kids who only know Qassams? Fatigued, Gazans don't believe Editorial: Aspiring to a lengthy cease-fire Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fragile cease-fire Olmert: Gaza cease-fire is fragile, may be short lived. Unbalanced stance Italy FM: EU stance on Israel in past swayed by intolerance.   1.   HOW STUPID, peace shoudl be for longer 02:46  |  VIPER 19/06/08   2.   it is now past 6am in Israel 06:05  |  Akiva P 19/06/08   3.   Truth will come, falsehood will vanish 06:08  |  Shimon Cleopas 19/06/08   4.   Have no fear, the end of hamas is near. 06:42  |  Akiva P 19/06/08   5.   Yifrach for PM, Olmert to prison 06:54  |  McQueen 19/06/08   6.   British journalists. 10:30  |  Jean Van Daem 19/06/08   7.   Egypt should keep their nose out Har Dov is not their concern 13:47  |  zionist forever 19/06/08   8.   to # 1 offer children a place in Australia 14:54  |  CM 19/06/08   9.   #8, CM, stupid question 02:20  |  VIPER 20/06/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Peace dead? Send us your own plan! Responses: 53 Report: U.S., Canada warn Hezbollah set to strike Jewish targets Responses: 73 IDF said to have held drill as prep for attack on Iran Responses: 26 Akiva Eldar: Turning Hamas into the hero of the hour Responses: 2 Rosner's Domain Will next U.S. Congress top current record number of Jewish lawmakers? The New Mecca Of Tikun Olam (WTR) Poll: Cease fire in Gaza is an achievement for... Guests: Weak relationship between later marriage and intermarriage Misunderstanding undivided Jerusalem (WTR) More Headlines 10:25 Report: Israel held drill as prep for attack on Iran 10:26 U.S., Canada warn Hezbollah set to hit Jewish targets, report says 09:58 Families of abducted soldiers to tell Barak: Swap prisoners with Hezbollah 10:12 Military sources: IDF to redeploy troops from Gaza if truce holds 10:14 Jerusalem officials to High Court: Gay parade desecrates holy city 10:11 Israel's Messianic Jews complain of threats, police indifference 09:48 Police find dummy bomb at office of T.A. District Prosecution 02:55 Child abuse suspect to fight extradition from Brazil 07:56 Rafah tunnel operators fear truce may be bad for business 10:16 Likud ultimatum to Shas: Us or Kadima government 04:32 Despite truce deal, no goods at Karni border crossing on Sunday Previous Editions Select Day 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun

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