DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

Israel has decided to continue its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, despite a UN Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the resolution was unworkable, noting that Hamas was still firing rockets into Israel. Hamas has demanded that any truce require Israel to end its blockade of the Gaza Strip and halt cross-border incursions. The Islamist group said it had sent three of its leaders from Gaza to Cairo to discuss a separate Egyptian ceasefire proposal, but diplomats said Israel and Egypt were far apart on the plan. Meanwhile the death toll in Gaza continues to rise with medics reporting at least 780 dead Palestinians. Ten Israeli soldiers and four civilians have been killed since the Israeli offensive began a fortnight ago.