Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday reiterated that his country has no interest in along assault in the Gaza Strip, while expressing his hope for an early end to the ongoing operation.
"The sooner, the better," he told local daily Ha'aretz when asked when the army plans to end its operation. "We did not set out to occupy Gaza or kill every terrorist. We set out to bring change to the south."
Olmert was quoted as saying that he was in contact with many world leaders working toward a diplomatic solution for the 11-day-old clash, which has seen over 580 people killed and over 2,300 others injured on the Palestinian side and nine killed on the Israeli side.
"The result must be an effective blockading of the Philadelphi Route, with supervision and follow-ups," added Olmert, referring to the border area between Gaza and Egypt where Gazan militants have allegedly been smuggling weapons through tunnels.
Earlier in day, Olmert rejected an EU request for an immediate ceasefire, stressing to visiting EU foreign ministers that any agreement must force Hamas to end its incessant rocket attacks on Israel and prevent the Islamist group from rearming and rebuilding.
"We will hold our fire under two conditions: one is an end to the arms smuggling from Sinai into Gaza, and the other is the cessation of all terror activity, not just the rocket fire," he told a group of southern residents.
With international pressure gathering steam, signs are emerging that the Jewish state is seeking a political exit out of the warfare. Many analysts have said that Israel's ultimate goal is to reach a lasting ceasefire on more favorable conditions.
While Israel heads off the EU efforts, it is reportedly garnering support for an initiative proposed by the United States, its staunch ally, which is based on Israel's three main demands: an end to attacks from Gaza, international supervision of any truce and a halt to Hamas rearming.
Source:Xinhua
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