Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday gave the government's top priority to the rehabilitation of the country's north and Haifa city which had been targeted by rockets from Lebanese Hezbollah.

Olmert vowed to devote the government efforts to rebuilding the north during a tour to the region, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

The government will act to significantly strengthen the north " in order to turn it into heaven", Olmert was quoted as saying.

Olmert's remarks came following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effects on Aug. 14, which ended their 34-day- long fighting erupted on July 12 after two Israeli soldiers were captured and eight others killed by Hezbollah in cross-border raids.

According to the report, Israel's government ministries are expected to present their proposals for the rehabilitation and development of the north on Sept. 10.

The government expects over half-a-billion dollars to be raised from Jewish communities around the world for the purpose of the rehabilitation, added the report.

During the northern tour, Olmert visited a hospital in Nahariya, which was directly hit by Hezbollah-launched rockets during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

"We must push forward deadlines and be ready for the possibility of receiving casualties under all conditions," said the premier.

Source: Xinhua