The Israeli army has been battling Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip that frequently fire rockets into southern Israel.

Olmert told his Cabinet that there are no plans to slow down. "Operations against terrorists will continue as they have been conducted for many months," Olmert said.

"There is no other way to describe what is happening in the Gaza Strip except as a true war between the Israeli army and terror groups," he said.

"This war will continue," he said. The state of Israel has no interest in holding negotiations with those that refuse to accept the basic principles of the Quartet," he said, referring to the international Quartet of Middle East mediators.

"This applies to Hamas, Islamic Jihad and anyone else. He who accepts the Quartet principles is a partner in talks, but he who is not ready to accept them, he is no partner and our policy will not change."

Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 23 Aralık 2007, 13:32