Sunday, April 10, 2011

Israel, Hamas Look to End Attacks


Israeli and Hamas leaders say they are looking to end a recent flare-up in violence in the Gaza Strip which has left at least 19 Palestinians dead.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Israel is is willing to stop firing if Hamas agrees to do the same. A Hamas spokesman said it is up to Israel to cease attacks adding that “calm will be met with calm”.

Israel began pounding targets in the Palestinian territory Thursday after a rocket fired from Gaza struck a school bus in Israel, wounding a 16-year-old boy and the bus driver.

The Israeli army says Gaza militants have launched 120 rockets and mortars at Israel since then.

On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League in an effort to seek a diplomatic solution to tensions in the region.