GAZA CITY: Palestinian factions warned on Monday that a de facto Middle East truce was in jeopardy after Israel launched an aerial strike against militants, wounding two sisters in the Gaza Strip. In the hours after the attack, the Hams rejected a call from Palestinian President Mahout Abbes to end attacks inside Israel.

“Peace agreements will only bring further losses and push back our cause,” said spokesman Sámi Abu Zahra, pointing out that Mr Abbess’s Fattah party also maintains its own armed wing, the loosely affiliated Al Aqua Martyrs Brigades. “Israel’s escalation makes the truce empty. We affirm the right to avenge this crime and to self-defence. We ask the international community to intervene to stop this aggression,” he said.—AFP