Rising tensions in Mideast threatens ceasefire deal

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-17-2008 10:04

Tensions are rising in the Mideast as Israel is threatening to adopt a new plan for military action in Gaza.

Analysts say the latest wave of violence in the region is putting Tel Aviv's fragile ceasefire with Hamas severely to the test.

Palestinians carry the body of Ahmed al-Hellou, a militant of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), during a funeral in Gaza, on Nov. 16, 2008. An Israeli attack left four Palestinian militants dead in the  eastern Gaza Strip on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo)

Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets in Gaza city on Sunday for funerals of four Palestinian militants.

The four men, all members of a small military group known as the Popular Resistance Committees, were killed earlier in the day in an Israeli air-strike.

Hamas leader Ismail Haneya strongly condemned the attack.

Ismail Haneya, Hamas Leader, said, "This threat terrifies only the Zionist children, but does not terrify the youngest Palestinian child."

At least 17 Palestinian militants have been killed since November 4th, when Israel raided the Gaza Strip to destroy a tunnel it said gunmen were planning to use to abduct Israeli soldiers.

In the West Bank, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad spoke out against the recent violence in Gaza.

Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Prime Minister, said, "We do not need to be reminded of Israel's blockade and strikes on Gaza. The aggressions are dangerous and cause huge suffering."