Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday warned Palestinian militants over continuing violations of a fragile truce with the Jewish state as Israel's security cabinet met to review the measure.
After the latest rocket fired by militants landed without causing casualties or damage earlier Sunday in violation of the week-old truce, Olmert warned that Israel would not restrain itself indefinitely.
"The prime minister expressed his concern about the continuing violations of the ceasefire and warned that Israel could not restrain itself much longer if the rocket fire continues," said a statement from Olmert's office after the premier met with visiting Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik.
The statement came ahead of a meeting by Israel's influential security cabinet during which ministers were due to review the ceasefire.
Under the terms of the Gaza truce, Israeli troops withdrew from the Palestinian territory and militants were supposed to stop firing rockets into the Jewish state.
The truce has largely been observed despite militants having fired a handful of rockets in retaliation for continued Israeli operations in the West Bank. The rocket attacks have not caused any deaths or damage. Defence Minister Amir Peretz echoed Olmert's sentiment.
"So far, we have shown restraint in an effort to solidify the ceasefire, but the Palestinians must prove their ability to keep their commitments," a senior government official quoted Peretz as telling the weekly government meeting.
"We have stuck to a policy of supporting the moderate forces in the Palestinian Authority, but at the same time I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to draft new rules of engagement against those who threaten our forces and the Qassam (rocket) firing units," Peretz said, without elaborating.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, meanwhile, urged continued restraint.
"It is important for israel to act wisely regarding the ceasefire. Today, we are witnessing a different situation and in such a sensitive and explosive situation it is important to carefully weigh our steps," she told reporters following talks with Plassnik.
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