Special report: Crisis between Israel and Palestine

    JERUSALEM, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said on Monday that Israel rejected an ultimatum issued earlier in the day by Palestinian militants taking an Israeli soldier hostage, saying that Israel will not give in to blackmail.

    Israel will not bow to extortion by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) or the Hamas-led government, the office said in a statement.

    Israel will not hold any negotiations on the release of prisoners, the statement said, adding that it held PNA fully responsible for the safety of a kidnapped Israeli soldier and his release.

    Three Palestinian militant groups set 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) Tuesday as the deadline for Israel to free Palestinian women and minors as well as 1,000 Palestinian, Arab and Muslim prisoners in Israeli jails for information on the kidnapped soldier.

    The three militant groups, including Hamas' armed wing Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, also warned that Israel could bear all consequences, if it fails to meet their demands.

    Israel has launched offensives on the Gaza Strip to rescue the kidnapped soldier.

    Israel has insisted on unconditional release of 19-year-old Gilad Shalit, who was abducted by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid on June 25. Enditem