Israel weighs military offensive on Gaza Strip

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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The government of interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert debated during its weekly cabinet meeting whether to launch major military strikes against the besieged Palestinian coastal strip. "A responsible government is not eager to launch war but does not avoid it either, therefore we will take the necessary steps," Olmert said as the meeting began.

Earlier, a senior Israeli defense official told Agence France-Presse that a major military confrontation in the territory was unavoidable as militants again targeted southern Israel with rockets. "It is obvious where we are heading in Gaza. The situation is intolerable but clear. The army's considerations are the only thing that is deciding when events will unfold," the defense official said.

Tensions in Gaza have steadily risen since Friday, when Hamas said it would not renew a six-month truce with Israel. Gaza militants have launched several dozen rockets and Israel has retaliated with air strikes, killing one militant. Meanwhile, Israeli FM Tzipi Livni vowed to end Hamas's rule in the Gaza Strip if she is elected prime minister in a February election, according to Reuters.