Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas attends a news conference in Gaza City, July 7, 2006. Abbas said during the news conference that he is making efforts to win the release of the Israeli soldier held by Palestinian militants, but Israel should also free thousands of Palestinian prisoners. (Xinhua Photo)

    GAZA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Friday urged militants to end their rocket attacks on Israel, adding the international community should also intervene to stop Israeli "inhumane invasion" of the Gaza Strip.

    In a news conference in Gaza City, Abbas told reporters that "the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip must stop."

    Meanwhile, he said that the world must stop Israeli "aggression and inhumane invasion" so that our efforts can get somewhere, referring to efforts to secure the release of a 19-year-old captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

    Abbas said he is making an all-out effort to win the release of the Israeli soldier held by governing Islamic Resistance Movement(Hamas)- allied Palestinian militants, but Israel should also free thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

    "We are working with Arab parties, particularly Egypt, for the soldier to be returned to his family. The continued Israeli aggression at this time is hindering these efforts," he added.

    The world must know that there are more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, who are also humans, just like the captive Israeli soldier, said the Palestinian leader, stressing that "it is the duty of Israel and the world to look at them in a humanitarian way, so that they can return to their people."

    Abbas' remarks came hours later after Israeli Public Security Minister Avi Dichter suggested on Friday that Israel might release Palestinian prisoners if the abducted Israeli soldier is freed.

    Speaking to business executives at a Tel Aviv hotel, the minister alluded to the possibility that releasing prisoners remains an option in future affairs as well, saying "the release of prisoners in exchange for an end to the Qassam rocket fire on Israel is an attainable goal."

    Since Thursday predawn, the Israeli army has expanded its "Summer Rains" operation against the Gaza Strip and sent more tanks and armored personnel carriers into former Jewish settlements in northern Gaza Strip.

    An Israeli soldier and about 20 Palestinians including civilians were killed on Thursday, the bloodiest single day in Gaza since Israel withdrew forces and settlers from it last summer after 38 years of occupation.

    Israeli army officials said that the aim of the operation was to free the abducted Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip and prevent Palestinian rocket firing. Enditem

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (R) attends a news conference in Gaza City, July 7, 2006. Abbas said during the news conference that he is making efforts to win the release of the Israeli soldier held by Palestinian militants, but Israel should also free thousands of Palestinian prisoners. (Xinhua Photo)