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Israel rejects Gaza truce calls Israel rejects Gaza truce calls
(about 1 hour later)
Israel has rejected international calls for a 48-hour truce in the Gaza Strip to allow in humanitarian aid, says a government spokesman. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected international calls for a 48-hour truce in the Gaza Strip to allow in more humanitarian aid.
Mark Regev said that Israel was not looking for a "band aid", or something that would expire a month from now. But he said dialogue would continue. He said conditions were not right for a ceasefire, but did not rule one out if a "better security reality in the south" of Israel comes about.
Israel launched air strikes on Gaza for a fifth day, and more Hamas rockets landed in southern Israel. Israel has launched air strikes on Gaza for a fifth day, while more Hamas rockets have landed in southern Israel.
The town of Beersheba was hit, the deepest penetration by rockets so far.The town of Beersheba was hit, the deepest penetration by rockets so far.
Map: Gaza and Israel violenceIn pictures: Day five of strikesGaza rockets hit deep into IsraelTaking cover on Sderot front lineMap: Gaza and Israel violenceIn pictures: Day five of strikesGaza rockets hit deep into IsraelTaking cover on Sderot front line
A foreign ministry spokesman earlier said a unilateral 48-hour halt was "unrealistic", as long as Hamas continued to fire at Israel. In the last five days, Israeli jets and attack helicopters have hit Hamas targets, including security compounds, government buildings, smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt and homes belonging to militant leaders.
A Hamas spokesman quoted by AFP news agency criticised the current international truce proposals "put the executioner and victim on equal footing." Palestinian officials say about 374 Palestinians have died in the Israeli air strikes; four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza, which is under Hamas control.
After meeting his cabinet, Prime Minister Olmert said conditions were not right for a ceasefire, but he did not rule one out in the future.
"If conditions will ripen, and we think there can be a diplomatic solution that will ensure a better security reality in the south, we will consider it. But at the moment, it's not there," he was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.
Any ceasefire with Hamas must be permanent, he said, adding that there was international consensus that Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel must stop.
International appeals
The 48-hour ceasefire plan to allow more aid into Gaza, was proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
The Hamas PM's offices were again attacked early on Wednesday
A Hamas spokesman quoted by AFP news agency criticised the current international truce proposals, saying they "put the executioner and victim on equal footing."
Fawzi Barhum said international and Arab efforts had to focus on "ending this aggression".Fawzi Barhum said international and Arab efforts had to focus on "ending this aggression".
A European Union statement had called for an "unconditional" halt to Hamas rocket attacks.A European Union statement had called for an "unconditional" halt to Hamas rocket attacks.
The Arab League is also meeting in Cairo to discuss the crisis.The Arab League is also meeting in Cairo to discuss the crisis.
Palestinian officials say about 374 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since Saturday; four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza, which is under Hamas control.
Hospitals depletedHospitals depleted
The 48-hour ceasefire plan to allow aid into Gaza, proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, was raised - and rejected - during an Israeli leadership meeting late on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Israeli missiles again pounded tunnels along Gaza's Egyptian frontier, as well as an office of former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and other buildings linked to his Hamas movement.
The Hamas PM's offices were again attacked early on Wednesday
The ceasefire request was discussed at a cabinet meeting, along with the possibility of widening and deepening this campaign.
Mark Regev, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said that dialogue with the international community would continue.
On Wednesday, Israeli missiles pounded tunnels along Gaza's Egyptian frontier, as well as an office of former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and other buildings linked to his Hamas movement.
Rockets landed in and around the southern Israeli town of Beersheba, about 40 km (24 miles) from Gaza on Wednesday and Tuesday.Rockets landed in and around the southern Israeli town of Beersheba, about 40 km (24 miles) from Gaza on Wednesday and Tuesday.
Although no serious casualties were reported, this is the deepest that Palestinian rockets have penetrated inside Israel - something that will only increase Israeli public support for continued military action, observers say.AdvertisementAlthough no serious casualties were reported, this is the deepest that Palestinian rockets have penetrated inside Israel - something that will only increase Israeli public support for continued military action, observers say.Advertisement
Hamas rocket reaches BeershebaHamas rocket reaches Beersheba
A police spokesman said 860,000 Israelis were now in range of Palestinian rockets.A police spokesman said 860,000 Israelis were now in range of Palestinian rockets.
The UN says at least 62 Palestinian civilians have died since Saturday.The UN says at least 62 Palestinian civilians have died since Saturday.
Red Cross spokesman in Gaza Iyad Nasr said Gaza badly needed more supplies bringing in.Red Cross spokesman in Gaza Iyad Nasr said Gaza badly needed more supplies bringing in.
"In particular the hospitals have been depleted and stretched to the maximum because of the closure imposed," he told the BBC."In particular the hospitals have been depleted and stretched to the maximum because of the closure imposed," he told the BBC.
A spokesman for the UN Relief and Works Agency - the largest aid agency operating in Gaza - says it will resume food distribution on Thursday after a two-week suspension because of a shortage of supplies. Israel said it was allowing 106 lorries carrying humanitarian aid - including medical supplies - from a variety of international organisations into Gaza on Wednesday.
Eighty-four UNRWA trucks carrying mostly food and some medicine are due to go into Gaza on Wednesday.
Closed military zoneClosed military zone
The US - Israel's strongest ally - has called for a long-term solution beyond any immediate ceasefire. But the White House reiterated the onus was on Hamas to act first to end the violence.The US - Israel's strongest ally - has called for a long-term solution beyond any immediate ceasefire. But the White House reiterated the onus was on Hamas to act first to end the violence.
It is not known exactly what rockets Hamas and other groups in Gaza haveIsrael says Hamas used the six-month truce to boost its arsenal through smuggling tunnels Grad-style missiles have reached Ashkelon since 2006 Recent strikes in Ashdod could be Iranian-made Oghab, Fajr-3 or Ra'ad missilesIt is not known exactly what rockets Hamas and other groups in Gaza haveIsrael says Hamas used the six-month truce to boost its arsenal through smuggling tunnels Grad-style missiles have reached Ashkelon since 2006 Recent strikes in Ashdod could be Iranian-made Oghab, Fajr-3 or Ra'ad missiles
An extra 2,500 reservists have been called up by the Israeli army and, on the frontier with Gaza, preparations continue for a possible ground operation.An extra 2,500 reservists have been called up by the Israeli army and, on the frontier with Gaza, preparations continue for a possible ground operation.
Israel has massed forces along the boundary and has declared the area around it a "closed military zone".Israel has massed forces along the boundary and has declared the area around it a "closed military zone".
Correspondents say this could be a prelude to ground operations, but could also be intended to build pressure on Hamas.Correspondents say this could be a prelude to ground operations, but could also be intended to build pressure on Hamas.
A statement by Hamas has warned any invasion would see "the children of Gaza collecting the body parts of Israeli soldiers and the ruins of tanks".A statement by Hamas has warned any invasion would see "the children of Gaza collecting the body parts of Israeli soldiers and the ruins of tanks".
The Israeli air strikes began less than a week after the expiry of a six-month-long ceasefire deal with Hamas.The Israeli air strikes began less than a week after the expiry of a six-month-long ceasefire deal with Hamas.
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but has kept tight control over access in and out of Gaza and its airspace.Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but has kept tight control over access in and out of Gaza and its airspace.