Hamas arrests cell that fired mortar at Israel despite cease-fire

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hamas in Gaza reportedly arrested those responsible for launching a mortar at Israel in defiance of the cease-fire.

Following the launching of the mortar on Tuesday evening, Hamas contacted Israel through intermediaries to say it was honoring the truce and was attempting to discover the identities of the launchers in order to arrest them, Ynet reported late that day, citing unnamed security sources. Hamas later announced the arrest.

The rocket landed in the Eshkol Regional Council near the border fence with Gaza. No injuries or damage were reported. The Code Red alert siren did not sound.

Hamas denied any knowledge of the rocket launch. No other Gaza faction claimed responsibility.

The attack came three weeks after the announcement of a cease-fire ending the 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.