Hamas Gaza war continues
Published:Tuesday | January 6, 2009 | 8:53 AM
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak is warning that the country will not let up on its attacks on Gaza.
Mr. Barak says although Palestinian militant group Hamas has suffered what he describes as a hard blow Israel has not yet achieved its objectives.
Israel says it will continue to carry out ground, air and sea attacks across Gaza.
Meanwhile, a top Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Zahhar, says the Islamists are heading for victory against Israel.
Intense diplomatic efforts are now underway to try to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, with separate missions to the Middle East being led by the French president, and a high-level team from the European Union.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, after meeting EU diplomats, rejected calls for an immediate truce.
Palestinian medical sources say the number of people killed in Gaza now stands at more than 500, with about 2,500 wounded.