Hamas militants continued to fire mortars and rockets at Israel that continues to threaten the fragile ceasefire negotiated by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in February.

Since the attacks are continuing, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz directed the army to use 'all necessary means to prevent any attempt to fire [at Israeli targets],' a senior security source told Reuters. Today, three makeshift rockets hit southern Israel although they caused no casualties or damage.

The Israeli government wants to make sure that it does not appear that their planned unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, scheduled to take place this August, will take place under fire from militant groups who will then claim they forced Israel out of Gaza.

'Israel must respond with greater forcefulness than before,' Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told Israel Radio. 'It is inconceivable that we will carry out an evacuation [of Gaza] under fire.'

Officials from the Palestinian Authority and Israel met Thursday in an attempt to preserve the cease fire. PA chief negotiator Saeb Erekat met with Sharon aide Dov Weisglass according to a report published by the Associated Press. In addition to discussing ways to preserve the ceasefire, the two began tentative talks regarding a possible summit between Prime Minister Sharon of Israel and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Meanwhile, Hamas has vowed to continue to attack Israel to 'avenge' the death of two militants who were carrying out terror attacks earlier this week.

It remains to be seen whether or not the best efforts of the PA and Israeli government will be able to maintain the fragile cease fire that has held since February.