THE PALESTINIAN GROUP ISLAMIC JIHAD SAID ON SUNDAY IT WAS SUSPENDING ROCKET FIRE FROM NORTHERN GAZA INTO ISRAEL FOR ONE WEEK TO TRY TO HALT ARTILLERY BARRAGES FROM THE JEWISH STATE WHICH HAVE SOMETIMES HIT CIVILIAN AREAS. THE GROUP TOLD REUTERS THE LAUNCHING OF MAKESHIFT ROCKETS WOULD RESUME IF ISRAEL DID NOT STOP AIR STRIKES AND ARTILLERY ATTACKS ON THE STRIP. ISRAEL HAS SAID IT WAS RESPONDING TO THE ROCKET FIRE.
