Palestinian fighter killed, two others injured in Israeli airstrike an hour before start of ceasefire

Date: 19 / 06 / 2008  Time:  12:10
Bethlehem - Ma'an -

Just one hour before the start of the ceasefire on Thursday morning between Palestinian resistance factions and Israel, a Palestinian resistance fighter was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of resistance fighters near Johr Al-Deek in the eastern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian medical sources reported that Rami Abu Suweirih was killed after sustaining shrapnel wounds from an Israeli rocket that hit the area.

The truce came into effect at 6 am on Thursday morning and is aimed at stopping Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip, as well as preventing missiles being fired from Gaza into southern Israel.

If the ceasefire holds for three days, Israel says it will ease its year-long blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing goods and badly-needed fuel into the impoverished coastal sector.

According to Israeli sources, negotiations on the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will continue next Tuesday in Cairo.

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum told Ma'an on Wednesday that the border crossings will be partially opened hours after the truce goes into effect, and the commercial crossings will be fully opened afterwards.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was skeptical about the truce lasting. In a speech in Tel Aviv he said, "what they are calling a ceasefire is fragile and will probably last for a short period of time."

Quartet Representative Tony Blair issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: "The period of calm is a positive development, and recognises the need for a new approach in Gaza. It will be particularly important to ensure that access of goods is progressively and rapidly increased."

"We should be under no illusion, however, that this calm is fragile. Hamas now have a chance to demonstrate their true intentions to the people of Gaza, of Israel and the world. If they want peace and prosperity, it is on offer. President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority are working hard and sincerely to negotiate a lasting peace with Israel, and they deserve the support of all Palestinian people and groups. In the case of Gaza, that means an end to Hamas support for and carrying out of terrorist attacks, whose only effect is to make the lives of Gazan people worse," the statement added.