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Olmert defiant over Gaza assault Olmert defiant over Gaza assault
(10 minutes later)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to continue operations against Gaza militants despite international calls for restraint.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to continue operations against Gaza militants despite international calls for restraint.
Mr Olmert said he had no intention of stopping the fight "even for a minute".Mr Olmert said he had no intention of stopping the fight "even for a minute".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on both Israel and Palestinians to halt several days of violence.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on both Israel and Palestinians to halt several days of violence.
Israeli air strikes continued after Saturday saw one of Gaza's bloodiest days since Israel withdrew in 2005, with at least 61 Palestinians killed.Israeli air strikes continued after Saturday saw one of Gaza's bloodiest days since Israel withdrew in 2005, with at least 61 Palestinians killed.
Nothing will prevent us from continuing operations to protect our citizens Ehud OlmertIsraeli prime minister In pictures: Gaza violenceNothing will prevent us from continuing operations to protect our citizens Ehud OlmertIsraeli prime minister In pictures: Gaza violence
Two Israeli soldiers also died in the fighting.Two Israeli soldiers also died in the fighting.
Local doctors say at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children.Local doctors say at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children.
More than 150 Palestinians, and seven Israelis, were also injured by Israeli air and ground assaults and by new rocket attacks on Israel.More than 150 Palestinians, and seven Israelis, were also injured by Israeli air and ground assaults and by new rocket attacks on Israel.
Early on Sunday, Israeli planes attacked the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City, witnesses said. Early on Sunday, Israeli planes attacked the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City.
The empty offices were destroyed and several people in neighbouring buildings injured, they said. The offices were destroyed and five people killed.
Sporadic gunfire is continuing around Gaza, as funerals are held across the territory.
Israel launched the offensive on Wednesday in response to militant rocket attacks on the south of the country. One civilian died in the attacks.Israel launched the offensive on Wednesday in response to militant rocket attacks on the south of the country. One civilian died in the attacks.
Warning to militantsWarning to militants
Speaking at the Israeli cabinet's weekly meeting, Mr Olmert said no-one had the right to preach to Israel for exercising its right to self-defence.Speaking at the Israeli cabinet's weekly meeting, Mr Olmert said no-one had the right to preach to Israel for exercising its right to self-defence.
"Israel has no intention of stopping the fight against the terrorist organisations even for a minute," he said."Israel has no intention of stopping the fight against the terrorist organisations even for a minute," he said.
"With all due respect, nothing will prevent us from continuing operations to protect our citizens.""With all due respect, nothing will prevent us from continuing operations to protect our citizens."
He warned Palestinian militants against trying to intimidate Israel.He warned Palestinian militants against trying to intimidate Israel.
"If anyone is under the illusion that by increasing the range [of the rocket fire] they'll get us to scale back our operations, he is making a serious mistake," he said."If anyone is under the illusion that by increasing the range [of the rocket fire] they'll get us to scale back our operations, he is making a serious mistake," he said.
Earlier Mr Ban condemned Israel's "excessive" use of force, while calling Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel "acts of terrorism".Earlier Mr Ban condemned Israel's "excessive" use of force, while calling Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel "acts of terrorism".
"While recognising Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children," he said."While recognising Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children," he said.
Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour accused the international community of an "unjustifiable and unacceptable" silence on events in Gaza.Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour accused the international community of an "unjustifiable and unacceptable" silence on events in Gaza.
An Israeli at his home in Sderot after Palestinian rocket attacksAn Israeli at his home in Sderot after Palestinian rocket attacks
The Security Council later voiced deep concern at the events but failed to condemn either side.The Security Council later voiced deep concern at the events but failed to condemn either side.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week to try to revive peace talks.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week to try to revive peace talks.
Mr Abbas, who lost control of Gaza to his Islamist rivals Hamas last summer, strongly condemned Israel's operations on Saturday.Mr Abbas, who lost control of Gaza to his Islamist rivals Hamas last summer, strongly condemned Israel's operations on Saturday.
Scores deadScores dead
Israeli operations began on Wednesday after a rocket fired by Hamas militants killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot, the first such death in nine months.Israeli operations began on Wednesday after a rocket fired by Hamas militants killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot, the first such death in nine months.
Some 100 Palestinians have been killed since then, with fighting on Saturday centred on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya and its nearby refugee camp.Some 100 Palestinians have been killed since then, with fighting on Saturday centred on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya and its nearby refugee camp.
Israel has said it may launch a full-scale attack on Gaza in response to the rocket attacks.Israel has said it may launch a full-scale attack on Gaza in response to the rocket attacks.
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