Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

Black smoke is seen during an Israeli bombardment over the town of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip July 8, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    JERUSALEM, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Saturday rejected Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya's call for ceasefire between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants, local media reported.

    An official in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said that Israeli government would not agree to any truce until the Palestinian militant groups free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit and stop firing homemade rockets at Israeli cities.

    As Israel intensified its offensive in the Gaza Strip, Haneya on Saturday called on Palestinian militants and Israel to halt violence in Gaza after 11 days of Summer Rain military operation left nearly 40 Palestinian militants dead.

    "In order to get out of the current crisis, it is necessary that all parties restore calm on the basis of mutually stopping all military operations," a statement issued by Haneya's office in Gaza said.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded its operation in Gaza on Saturday morning, with tanks advancing to within 500 meters of Gaza City.

    Some 15 tanks entered the Strip through the Karni border crossing in what the army said was a search for tunnels used by militants.

    Late Saturday afternoon, IDF troops withdrew from positions overlooking the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun as well as the Dahaniyeh airport in the southern Gaza Strip. Enditem