Special report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts
JERUSALEM, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert on Tuesday rejected an European Union (EU) request for a 48-hour
ceasefire in Gaza Strip, vowing to push ahead the offensive till security is
restored to the south.
In new defiance of the international pressure, Olmert
told visiting EU foreign ministers that any ceasefire agreement must force Hamas
to end its incessant rocket attacks on Israel. Local news service quoted him as
saying that "we demand action that will bring security to the residents of
Israel's south."
Referring to the increasing range of the rockets
fired by Gaza militants, Olmert stressed that "the most important thing from our
standpoint is to stop the smuggling and the strengthening of Hamas."
Meanwhile, the premier called on the delegation, led
by Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, to support a U.S.-led
regional initiative that would see Egypt take control over the Philadelphi
Corridor, a 14-km frontier with the strip, and prevent arms smuggling into Gaza.
The EU delegation met on Monday with Israeli Foreign
Minister Tzipi Livni, who also turned down their call for an immediate
ceasefire, saying that Israel has to "change the equation" in which Hamas fires
at Israel and Israel responds with restraint.
From now on, "when Israel is being targeted, Israel
is going to retaliate," said the strong premiership contender in the Feb. 10
general election.
Late Tuesday night, Olmert told visiting French
Present Nicolas Sarkozy that the Israeli operation is not aimed to eliminate
Hamas, but to bring lull to its southern land. Analysts have said that Israel's
ultimate goal is to reach a lasting ceasefire on more favorable conditions.
While Israel headed off the EU efforts, it is
reportedly garnering support for a proposal by the United States, its staunch
ally, which is based on Israel's three main demands: an end to attacks from
Gaza, international supervision of any truce and a halt to Hamas rearming.
