By Stan Goodenough
May 05, 2008
Hamas, the "Palestinian" terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip and uses it as a launch-pad for attacks on Israelis in the south, Monday bombarded - or permitted other groups to bombard - the Negev with multiple salvoes of Kassam rockets, injuring at least one person and inflicting some structural damage.
As many as 10 missiles pounded Sderot and neighboring communities in what reports suggested was Hamas' messaging departing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that they would not be ignored.
The barrage came amid reports from Egyptian officials that the Olmert government has signaled its willingness to acquiesce to Hamas demands that Israel agree to a ceasefire.
Israeli lawmakers had earlier rejected the proposal, saying Hamas planned to use such a hudna (temporary cessation of hostilities) to rearm and regroup in readiness for fresh assault on the Jewish state.
The about turn comes a day after Hamas threatened "unprecedented escalation" unless Israel accepted a truce.