Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

Israeli mobile artillery fires towards the Gaza Strip July 4, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    GAZA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A senior member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Tuesday that the Palestinian militants taking an Israeli soldier hostage had halted talks with mediators over releasing the hostage.

    Osama al-Mezeini, a senior Hamas official in Gaza, said that the reason why the militants decided to halt talks with mediators "is that Israel still rejects the militants' demands and continues its offensive against the Gaza Strip.

    Israel rejected an ultimatum issued by Palestinian militants holding Cpl. Gilad Shalit to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails before 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Tuesday.

    Shalit was captured by Palestinian militants in an attack against an Israeli army position southeast of Gaza-Israel border on June 25.

    In response to the deadly attack, Israeli troops launched an operation dubbed "Summer Rains" against the Gaza Strip in a bid to rescue the kidnapped soldier. Enditem 

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