Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault
Palestinians check a destroyed bridge after it was hit by an
Israeli missile from a warplane in northern Gaza July 9,
2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) |
JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed on
Monday to press ahead an ongoing massive military offensive in the Gaza Strip to
halt Palestinian rocket attacks while defending his plan to withdraw from more
settlements in the West Bank.
Speaking to foreign media at a news conference,
Olmert reiterated that there would be no timetable for the Israeli offensive in
Gaza, saying that Israel had the right to ensure the security of its citizens.
He slammed the Palestinian militant rocket attacks as
"aiming to kill innocent Israelis", adding that Israel had no choice but to take
some measures to defend itself.
The prime minister also rejected criticism by the
European Union over the Israeli military moves in Gaza, rebuking the pan-Europe
bloc for not condemning the Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel.
"When was the last time that the European Union
condemned this shooting and suggested effective measures to stop it?" Olmert
said. "At some point, Israel had no choice but to take some measures in order to
stop this thing." Enditem
Israeli PM reiterates rejection of prisoner
swap
JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert on Monday again ruled out releasing Palestinian prisoners held in
Israeli jails in exchange for an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian
militants.
Speaking to foreign media at a news conference,
Olmert said that Israel would not negotiate with the Palestinian ruling Islamic
Resistance Movement (Hamas) or release imprisoned Palestinians in exchange for
the kidnapped 19-year-old tank gunner, Gilad Shalit, as demanded by the
kidnappers.
Israeli PM says more withdrawals only way
to solve conflicts with Palestinians
JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that more withdrawals from the occupied West Bank under his so-called realignment plan were the only way to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflicts.
