Israeli officials say they are not interested in a
truce with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, as airstrikes against Hamas
targets in the Gaza Strip continue into a fourth day.
Authorities in the
Gaza Strip say ten people were killed in Tuesday's Israeli airstrikes, including
two young sisters. The airstrikes destroyed five Hamas government buildings, as
well as a building belonging to the Islamic University. A number of security
outposts were also flattened in the attacks.
Palestinian officials say
Israeli airstrikes since Saturday have killed at least 350 people, mostly Hamas
militants. A United Nations aid agency (UNRWA) in Gaza says 57 civilians are
among the dead.
The offensive began in reaction to Hamas resuming rocket
attacks after a six-month truce expired last week. Despite the airstrikes,
Palestinian militants have fired dozens of rockets and mortars into Israel since
Monday, killing at least four people.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert has informed President Shimon Peres the airstrikes are "the first of
several" offensives that have been approved by the security cabinet. Deputy
Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said the government is prepared for a prolonged
action lasting weeks.
Israel's military declared areas around Gaza a
"closed military zone," a move that in the past has preceded Israeli ground
assaults into Gaza.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said his country is
engaged in "all-out war" with Gaza's Hamas rulers. Hamas has ruled Gaza since
2007, after seizing control from Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr. Abbas appealed for talks with his Hamas rivals to form a united
front against what he called Israel's massive aggression in
Gaza.
Meanwhile, Egypt opened its border crossing with Gaza to allow
wounded Palestinians to enter for medical treatment. Egyptian authorities also
allowed food and medical supplies to be delivered into Gaza through the
crossing.
Israeli officials say one of its patrol vessels rammed into a
boat that attempted to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip earlier
today. The boat, called the "Dignity," was trying to deliver humanitarian
supplies to Gaza. The boat was escorted to the territorial waters of Cyprus
after the incident.
Some information for this report was provided by
AFP, AP and Reuters.