Israeli soldier 'could be released'

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said that an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants in June could be released imminently.

However, Hamas have reportedly denied the claims.

The Israeli army have been conducting an offensive in Gaza since the capture of the solider on June 25.

Meanwhile, on Thursday Israel launched fresh airstrikes in Lebanon, as fierce ground battles continue in southern Lebanon.

The offensive in Lebanon has been continuing since July 12 in response to the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah fighters and the deaths of eight others.

The latest air raids reportedly concentrated on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, where two blocks of apartments are understood to have been destroyed, and Beirut, where reports indicated that an army base was hit.

However, Israeli cabinet ministers have decided not to launch a full-scale ground offensive, although more reserve soldiers are being called up.

Israel's security cabinet said that the decision of the international conference, held in Rome on Wednesday, not to call for an immediate ceasefire, gave the country the 'green light' to continue its offensive.

Justice Minister Haim Ramon told Israel Army Radio: "We received yesterday at the Rome conference permission from the world... to continue the operation. Everyone understands that a victory for Hezbollah is a victory for world terror."

Mr Ramon said that the airstrikes would flatten villages before Israeli troops would move in, in order to minimise casualties among ground troops. He said that Lebanese civilians had been given time to leave the villages, adding: "All those now in south Lebanon are terrorists who are related in some way to Hezbollah."

The airstrikes come after a day of the heaviest fighting in southern Lebanon since the conflict began two weeks ago. Nine Israeli soldiers were killed - the worst losses Israel has suffered so far.

According to reports, Israel military sources have claimed to have destroyed half of Hezbollah's weapons arsenal. However, the militants' attacks on northern Israel have continued, with reports of as many as 150 rockets being fired into the country on Wednesday.

The bombardment continued on Thursday, with reports of over a hundred rockets hitting northern Israel. More than ten Israelis are reported to have been injured.

According to reports, a chemical factory in the border town of Kiryat Shmona was hit.

On Thursday, al Qaeda called on Muslims to fight against Israeli attacks on Lebanon. In a video shown on al-Jazeera, Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's second in command, urged followers to fight against the 'Zionist-crusader war' in the Middle East.

More than 420 Lebanese and 51 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in Lebanon.

(KMcA/SP)