Israeli chiefs say Gaza onslaught will go on

[TriWooOx]

The Israeli security cabinet says the Gaza offensive will continue despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an urgent ceasefire.

"The ministers were briefed on talks (Israeli envoy) Amos Gilad held in Egypt as well as on the UN Security Council resolution," a senior government official told AFP after the cabinet meeting Friday.

"The ministers reiterated Israel's full right to defend its citizens to which end the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) will continue its operations in order to reach the goals of the offensive -- to bringing a change to the security situation in the south of the country," he said.

The Israeli attacks in the densely-populated Gaza Strip has so far claimed the lives of at least 783 Palestinians and injured thousands of others.

The Israeli official said the army is instructed to prevent "weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip" by expanding its operation in southern parts of the impoverished sliver.

The meeting came shortly after the UN Security Council approved a resolution which demanded an "immediate, durable" ceasefire leading to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The UNSC also called for "the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment."

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, however, vowed to push ahead with the military action against Gaza and resist international pressure. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Israel would act "only according to its interests."

Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been leading mediation efforts and is due to hold talks with the Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday.

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