Hamas cracks down on rocket fire

Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip last week criticized rocket attacks against Israel, pledging to stop them. A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said they had "no relations with the rockets that are being fired from Gaza" and that "security services are following up those who stand behind these rockets." The statement of the ministry came in response to responsibility for recent rocket fire being claimed by a new group calling itself "Hezbollah of Palestine". Sources from Hamas said it was "a fake name used by more than one group to carry out actions not in line with government policy." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Islamic Jihad organization, aligned with the rival Fatah party, claimed that ten of its activists had been detained and tortured by Hamas security forces. They were interrogated about the recent rocket firings, and before being released, they were forced to sign a statement promising not to fire any more rockets at Israel. Hamas refused to comment on the allegations. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all weapons fired at Israel from within Gaza, not accepting that any faction may be taking armed action without Hamas's approval or tolerance. Israel claims that the goal of its recent offensive against Gaza, in which 1,434 Palestinians were killed, including 960 civilians, was to stop the rocket fire. However according to the Israeli military, 176 rockets have been fired since the assault ended almost two months ago. Israel has continued carrying out retaliatory air strikes as well, with almost daily bombings causing frequent deaths and injuries. No Israelis have been killed by the rockets fired into Israel.