Israeli army poised to step up offensive

GAZA - Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets on Gaza today warning civilians that troops and tanks were poised to step up an offensive designed to force Palestinian militants to release a kidnapped soldier.

Israel also turned up the heat on Syria, sending warplanes low over one of President Bashar al-Assad's palaces to warn him against backing militants who abducted the soldier, the Israeli army said. Bashar was there at the time, Israeli media said.

The leaflets told Palestinians to avoid areas where the army was operating in its first ground offensive since Israel quit the territory last year after 38 years of occupation.

Hundreds of masked Palestinian gunmen wielding automatic rifles and anti-tank weapons fanned out in defiance, taking up positions in streets and narrow alleyways. Home-made landmines were planted along roads to combat Israeli armoured vehicles.

Israel has said its military operations that began with a push into southern Gaza yesterday would go on if Corporal Galid Shalit, a 19-year-old conscript, was not freed.

There have been no clashes yet with Palestinian gunmen but Israeli air strikes have knocked out power and water supplies, as well as destroying several bridges.

Israeli artillery and naval gunboats pounded open areas of northern Gaza early this morning.

"The murderous assault and kidnap of the soldier Gilad Shalit was the crossing of a red line," said Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz.

Gunmen abducted Shalit in a cross-border raid on an army post on Monday in which two Israeli soldiers were also killed.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Israeli soldiers seized a member of the Hamas-led government, Labour Minister Mohammed Barghouthi, Palestinian security officials said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said troops had carried out an operation in Ramallah but declined to give details.

Israeli television reports said the flights over Assad's palace created several sonic booms. Syrian state television said Syrian forces fired at the Israeli warplanes, forcing them away.

Israeli leaders have accused Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal of being responsible for Shalit's kidnapping. Hamas leaders say they were not involved.

Israeli troops backed by assault helicopters and artillery have set up a strategic observation post at a disused airport outside the southern Gaza town of Rafah. Scores of tanks and armoured vehicles have massed along the northern border.

Foreign powers trying to revive stalled Israel-Palestinian peace talks have expressed dismay at the surge in tensions, demanding militants free Shalit while urging Israel to show restraint.

The fate of the fresh-faced conscript has transfixed Israelis. The last time Palestinian gunmen kidnapped a soldier was in 1994. He was killed during a rescue attempt.

In another challenge to Israel, militant groups say they have kidnapped two Israelis and taken them to the occupied West Bank. Israeli authorities say two men are missing but have not confirmed they were abducted.

- REUTERS