Special report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts 

    CANBERRA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Monday his government recognized Israel's right of self-defense but supported a diplomatic solution to bring an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

    Tens of thousands of Israeli troops backed by tanks have battled Hamas fighters as the Palestinian death toll from the offensive had passed 510.

    Rudd told reporters in Sydney that "Australia recognizes Israel's right to self-defense," but added that the ongoing violence highlighted the need for a solution to the conflict.

    "The escalation in the conflict, following the insurgence by Israeli ground forces, underlines the absolute importance of bringing about an effective diplomatic solution," he said.

    "Any diplomatic solution must find a way of bringing a halt to rocket attacks against Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas. Any diplomatic solution must also bring about a halt to arms shipments into Gaza. Any diplomatic solution must also involve an immediate cease-fire. And in that connection, we the Australian government support the actions of the United Nations now in seeking to bring about an immediate cease-fire," Australian Associated Press quoted him as saying.

    Rudd also acknowledged that many Australians were concerned about the humanitarian impacts of the conflict and called on Israel to recognize basic human rights.

    "It is critical therefore for Israel to meet its humanitarian obligations under international humanitarian law, towards the people of Gaza, ensuring that they have access to basic goods, food and humanitarian assistance and medical supplies," he said.        

Russian President Medvedev calls for ceasefire in Gaza

     MOSCOW, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip during phone talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the Kremlin said on Sunday.

     "The Russian side expressed serious concerns over multiple victims among civilians and a difficult humanitarian situation. The Russian president also stressed the importance of the swiftest possible ceasefire," Interfax news agency cited a Kremlin statement as saying. Full story

Security chief: Hamas eases demands for ceasefire with Israel

     JERUSALEM, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hamas has eased demands on a ceasefire with Israel as the operation of Israeli army in Gaza Strip entered its ninth day, head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency said Sunday.

     Yuval Diskin made the remarks in a cabinet meeting on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Cast Lead Operation, which began on Dec. 27. Full story