LE HUITIEME JOUR DE LA GUERRE

Israel has agreed to cease its fire from 9:00 this morning, however Hamas shootings escalate: rockets fall near houses in Ashdod and Eshkol. Sirens heard in Zikhron Ya'akov, Yokneam, Ashkelon and Rehovot. Iron Dome intercepts some of the rockets. Hamas: "still discussing proposal". Hamas trying to gain a sense of victory some hours after the cabinet's approval of the Egyptian proposal for truce. Sirens went off this morning in varied parts of the country: the south, the Shfela, and even Zikhron Ya'akov and Mount Carmel area up north. The long-range rocket fired toward the north was intercepted by Iron Dome, while one rocket landed in a house yard in Ashdod, causing severe damage. In the Shfela, were multiple sirens were heard, rockets were intercepted while other fell in open fields. The Hamas military arm accepted responsibility for the shooting, and PM Netanyahu warned the organization: "If shooting continues we will intensify actions". Netanyahu spoke today in military headquarters at the Kirya in Tel Aviv today after the one-sided truce and during the shooting at the north and the Shfela, and claimed that Hamas has been severely hit, and explained that Israel responded to the Egyptian proposal in order to enable a militarization of Gaza strip on diplomatic terms. "If Hamas should decline the truce proposal, as it seems at the moment, Israel will gain international legitimacy to intensify the necessary military operation in order to restore the peace", added Netanyahu. On the opposite side stated Hamas senior Mussa Abu-Marzuk this morning that the organization is still consulting on the matter and that there is no official decision on the issue of the Egyptian initiative. "We will intensify the Quassam rocket bombings" the organization military arm announced. "The Zionist enemy has admitted for the first time that sirens were activated in Mount Carmel". The Hamas military arm strictly rejected the proposal earlier today, comparing it to surrender, and wrote in its official website: "Our battle against the enemy continues, we are prepared. We remain loyal the Shahids which shed their blood in battle. We promise that the victims' blood has not been shed in vein". Meanwhile, the American press reports that Secretary of State John Kerry, whose visit in Egypt had been cancelled, congratulated the Israeli cabinet for its decision to accept the Egyptian proposal for truce. "We call for all sides to accept the proposal"' add Kerry. Israel Security Forces have warned against further shootings, while state sources have clarified that in case of continuous shootings, Israel will act to demilitarize Gaza strip.