Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault    

    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.

    "Trading prisoners with a terrorist bloody organization such as Hamas is a major mistake that will cause a lot of damage to the future of the state of Israel," he said.

    Olmert also accused Hamas leaders of being directly involved inthe abduction.

    But the prime minister, meanwhile, said that Israel was not seeking to topple the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

    "We have no particular desire to topple the Hamas government as a policy," he said.

    Olmert also reiterated that there would be no timetable for the ongoing massive Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip in a bid to free Shalit and prevent Palestinian militants from firing rockets onto southern Israel.

    He also upheld his so-called realignment plan, under which Israel will draw the final borders with the Palestinians within four years by quitting isolated settlements in the West Bank and enlarging bigger ones.

    About 50 Palestinians including civilians and one Israeli soldier have been killed since Israel launched the broad military operation in Gaza on June 28.

    Palestinian militant groups taking Shalit hostage have demanded Israel release Palestinian women and minors and 1,000 Palestinian, Arab and Muslim prisoners in Israeli jails in exchange for Shalit.

    Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, took part in the June 25 raid on the Israeli army post, during which Shalit was kidnapped and two other Israeli soldiers were also killed.

    But the Hamas-led Palestinian government said that it did not order the attack and had no foreknowledge of the abduction, accusing Israel of using the abduction as a pretext to topple its rule.

    Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, is sworn to Israel's destruct. The group took power in late March following a January election victory. Enditem