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« Funsho williams: Why We Brought In Scotland Yard – Obasanjo | Main | UN Council 'shocked' by Qana raid »

July 31, 2006

Israel 'not ready for truce yet'; Lebanon accuses Israel of war crimes

Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz has said that despite a 48-hour halt to air strikes on south Lebanon, Israel cannot agree to an immediate ceasefire.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Peretz said if the offensive stops, "the extremists will rear their heads anew" allowing the threat they pose to quickly return.

Israel will "expand and strengthen" its attack he said, ahead of Cabinet talks on possibly broadening the offensive.

Israel has halted air raids to allow an inquiry into civilian deaths in Qana.

At least 54 people, many of them children, were killed in Qana on Sunday when the house they were sheltering in was hit by Israeli war planes - the deadliest Israeli raid since hostilities began on 12 July.

Mr Peretz described the temporary cessation of air strikes on southern Lebanon, which Israel says is to allow an investigation into the incident and give civilians trapped in the region a chance to escape, as a "humanitarian gesture".

Mr Peretz was interrupted by Arab members of the Israeli parliament many times as he addressed the special Knesset session.

The defence minister's comments came after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US will seek a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire this week.

UN resolution plan

Speaking after talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, Ms Rice said the US will call for UN Security Council action on a comprehensive settlement.

She said it will 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.

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 48-hour ceasefire in the south to allow the deaths at Qana to be investigated.

Ground battle

Meanwhile, fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli ground troops has been continuing in southern Lebanon.

According to the BBC's Richard Miron on the Lebanon-Israel border, Israeli war planes are circling the conflict zone, though with the Israeli air force saying it is maintaining the ceasefire it is unclear whether they are participating in the fighting.

There were Israeli air strikes in eastern Lebanon early on Monday, but Israel said they came before its suspension came into effect.

Israeli jets carried out two raids near Yanta, 5km (three miles) from the Syrian border, at 0130 (2230GMT Sunday), Lebanese security sources told the Associated Press.

An Israeli army spokesman told AP that the flights over southern Lebanon were only suspended from 0200 (2300GMT).

Despite the air raid stoppage, Israel is reserving the right to take action against any targets it says are preparing attacks against it.

Hezbollah militants have vowed to retaliate after the Qana air strike, though there have been no reports of rocket attacks on Israel since the pause in air raids began.

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.

Posted by Publisher at July 31, 2006 09:37 AM

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