Olmert: Israel will target truce-breakers

JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Israel will target Palestinians who break the fragile Gaza truce reached with the militant group Hamas, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says.

Saying he won't accept a "price tag" demanded by Hamas and other Islamic militants to keep the truce intact, Olmert told the Israeli Cabinet Sunday that defense forces would continue to strike back at Palestinians who launch rockets into Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"We are not eager for battle, but we do not fear it," Olmert said. "It's no secret that Israel did not enthusiastically enter into the understandings that led to (the truce), but it kept to them unequivocally. The responsibility for breaking the truce and for creating a situation of ongoing violence in the South lies entirely with Hamas and the other terror organizations in Gaza."

The Post said Olmert also made what may have been a reference to international criticism of Israel's decision to block land crossings into Gaza, saying, "No one can complain to the Israeli government. We have acted and will continue to act … to prevent a situation in which the 'calm' works against the security of Israeli citizens."