Abbas to Warn Militants Against Breaking Ceasefire with Israel

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in the Gaza Strip where he plans to demand that militants abide by a ceasefire with Israel. Mr. Abbas is expected to meet with Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders Saturday. Top Abbas aides say he plans to tell the militants that his government will not tolerate any more violations of a ceasefire with Israel announced earlier this week at a summit in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt. Hamas militants Thursday fired a barrage of rockets and mortars into Jewish settlements in Gaza. No casualties were reported. Mr. Abbas immediately fired several senior Palestinian officials including his public security chief. Israeli cabinet ministers have said if the Palestinians cannot stop attacks, Israel will take matters into its own hands.