Israel minister says Gaza on defensive

JERUSALEM, June 10 (UPI) -- An Israeli Cabinet minister, saying a truce would allow Hamas to regroup, Tuesday added his voice to the concerns that Israel is about to invade Gaza.

Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim said before Tuesday's Cabinet meeting that a military thrust into Gaza would keep Hamas on the defensive.

"Hamas is under pressure," Boim said. "The blockade did its job."

Ynetnews said that despite the saber rattling, the issue of an incursion into Gaza apparently didn't come up at the Cabinet meeting. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instead discussed the budget and his recent trip to Washington.

The Gaza debate likely came up later in the day when Olmert met with his more-hawkish defense and foreign ministers, Ynetnews said.