HAMAS rejected an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire with Israel that was to take effect yesterday, saying Cairo did not consult the group over the deal. Israel accepted the truce plan, but warned it would strike Gaza hard if Hamas didn’t abide by it.

    Militants from Gaza fired five rockets at Israel, shortly after the Egyptian-proposed starting time for a gradual de-escalation yesterday morning.

    The military wing of Hamas, which has been responsible for most of the hundreds of rockets launched at Israel in the past week said the Egyptian plan “wasn’t worth the ink it was written with.”

    The militant group said the current proposal offers no tangible achievements, particularly on easing a border blockade of Gaza enforced by Israel and Egypt.

    Hamas also wants to be recognized by Egypt as a partner in any truce efforts.

    Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev warned that Israel would strike Gaza even harder if Hamas does not accept the truce.

    “If Hamas rejects the Egyptian proposal, if Hamas continues to shoot rockets at Israeli cities, we are prepared to continue our military operation and intensify it as needed to protect our people,” he said.

    Over the past week, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes against targets in Gaza to try to diminish Hamas’ ability to fire rockets at Israel.

    (SD-Agencies)