ShackO
07-31-2006, 10:44 AM
Israel (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5230192.stm) 'not ready for truce yet' (after announcing they were suspending the bombing.... :smchode:
Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz says Israel cannot agree to an immediate ceasefire, despite a partial halt to air strikes on south Lebanon.
Mr Peretz told parliament that if the offensive stopped, "the extremists will rear their heads anew".
He said Israel intended to "expand and strengthen" its operations in Lebanon.
Earlier Israel suspended air raids for 48 hours - apart from those to defend its civilians or troops - to allow an inquiry into civilian deaths at Qana.
At least 54 people, many of them children, were killed in the southern Lebanese town on Sunday when the house in which they were sheltering was hit by Israeli war planes - the deadliest Israeli raid since hostilities began on 12 July.
Shortly after Israel announced it was suspending air strikes, Israeli war planes struck at several targets, killing three Lebanese soldiers in a car near the southern city of Tyre.
Israel expressed regret over the deaths, saying it believed the vehicle was carrying a senior Hezbollah official.
In other developments:
* New York-based group Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing war crimes by carrying out what it called an indiscriminate bombing campaign in Lebanon
* Thousands of protesters in the Syrian capital Damascus have joined a demonstration against Israel's military offensive, with many of them declaring their support for Hezbollah
* Lebanon is observing a national day of mourning following the deaths in Qana, with many banks and public buildings closed
Mr Peretz described the temporary cessation of air strikes, which Israel said was to allow an investigation into the incident in Qana and give civilians trapped in the region a chance to escape, as a "humanitarian gesture".
The defence minister was interrupted by Arab members of parliament many times as he addressed the special session.
UN resolution plan
Mr Peretz's comments came after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US would seek a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire this week.
Speaking after talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, Ms Rice said the US would call for UN Security Council action on a comprehensive settlement.
Emergency worker retrieving body of child
In pictures: Qana strike
UN 'shocked' by raid
Ceasefire push grows
She said it would comprise three parts: a ceasefire, the political principles that provide for a long-term settlement and the authorisation of an international force to support the Lebanese army in keeping the peace.
"As I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and a lasting settlement," Ms Rice said.
"I am convinced we can achieve both this week," she added.
US President George W Bush meanwhile said on Monday that the UN had to address the "root causes of the problem".
"We want there to be a long-lasting peace, one that is sustainable," he said after a meeting with Cuban-American business leaders in Miami, Florida.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a trip to the US, said he was optimistic of the chances of an end to hostilities.
While calling for "maximum pressure" to get the Security Council resolution passed, he also called for "maximum restraint" in the region and welcomed Israel's partial ceasefire.
Ground battle
Meanwhile, fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli ground troops has been continuing in southern Lebanon.
Carnage at Qana
Blair in ceasefire call
The BBC's Richard Miron in the Israeli border town of Metulla says the Israeli military has been shelling targets in the Lebanese villages of Taibe, Kila and Adasya.
For their part Hezbollah militants fired two rockets into Metulla on Monday - far fewer than it has fired into northern Israel in recent days.
Lebanon's health minister says about 750 people - mainly civilians - have been killed by Israeli action.
A total of 51 Israelis, including at least 18 civilians, have been killed in the conflict.
Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz says Israel cannot agree to an immediate ceasefire, despite a partial halt to air strikes on south Lebanon.
Mr Peretz told parliament that if the offensive stopped, "the extremists will rear their heads anew".
He said Israel intended to "expand and strengthen" its operations in Lebanon.
Earlier Israel suspended air raids for 48 hours - apart from those to defend its civilians or troops - to allow an inquiry into civilian deaths at Qana.
At least 54 people, many of them children, were killed in the southern Lebanese town on Sunday when the house in which they were sheltering was hit by Israeli war planes - the deadliest Israeli raid since hostilities began on 12 July.
Shortly after Israel announced it was suspending air strikes, Israeli war planes struck at several targets, killing three Lebanese soldiers in a car near the southern city of Tyre.
Israel expressed regret over the deaths, saying it believed the vehicle was carrying a senior Hezbollah official.
In other developments:
* New York-based group Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing war crimes by carrying out what it called an indiscriminate bombing campaign in Lebanon
* Thousands of protesters in the Syrian capital Damascus have joined a demonstration against Israel's military offensive, with many of them declaring their support for Hezbollah
* Lebanon is observing a national day of mourning following the deaths in Qana, with many banks and public buildings closed
Mr Peretz described the temporary cessation of air strikes, which Israel said was to allow an investigation into the incident in Qana and give civilians trapped in the region a chance to escape, as a "humanitarian gesture".
The defence minister was interrupted by Arab members of parliament many times as he addressed the special session.
UN resolution plan
Mr Peretz's comments came after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US would seek a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire this week.
Speaking after talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, Ms Rice said the US would call for UN Security Council action on a comprehensive settlement.
Emergency worker retrieving body of child
In pictures: Qana strike
UN 'shocked' by raid
Ceasefire push grows
She said it would comprise three parts: a ceasefire, the political principles that provide for a long-term settlement and the authorisation of an international force to support the Lebanese army in keeping the peace.
"As I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and a lasting settlement," Ms Rice said.
"I am convinced we can achieve both this week," she added.
US President George W Bush meanwhile said on Monday that the UN had to address the "root causes of the problem".
"We want there to be a long-lasting peace, one that is sustainable," he said after a meeting with Cuban-American business leaders in Miami, Florida.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a trip to the US, said he was optimistic of the chances of an end to hostilities.
While calling for "maximum pressure" to get the Security Council resolution passed, he also called for "maximum restraint" in the region and welcomed Israel's partial ceasefire.
Ground battle
Meanwhile, fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli ground troops has been continuing in southern Lebanon.
Carnage at Qana
Blair in ceasefire call
The BBC's Richard Miron in the Israeli border town of Metulla says the Israeli military has been shelling targets in the Lebanese villages of Taibe, Kila and Adasya.
For their part Hezbollah militants fired two rockets into Metulla on Monday - far fewer than it has fired into northern Israel in recent days.
Lebanon's health minister says about 750 people - mainly civilians - have been killed by Israeli action.
A total of 51 Israelis, including at least 18 civilians, have been killed in the conflict.