I GUESS THAT THIS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE WAR MAKERS RUN THE SHOW IN ISRAEL, NOT THE POLITICIANS. DOES THIS MEAN THAT ALL OF LEBANON MUST BE DESTROYED BEFORE THEY STOP...?
Israel 'not ready for truce yet'
Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz has said that, despite a 48-hour halt to air strikes on south Lebanon, Israel cannot agree to an immediate ceasefire.
Mr Peretz told parliament that if the offensive stopped, "the extremists will rear their heads anew", allowing the threat they posed to quickly return.
Israel would expand and strengthen its attack, he said, ahead of cabinet talks on possibly broadening the offensive.
Israel has halted air raids to allow an inquiry into civilian deaths in Qana.
At least 54 people, many of them children, were killed in the town on Sunday when the house where they were sheltering was hit by Israeli war planes - the deadliest Israeli raid since hostilities began on 12 July.
Despite Israel's announcement of a suspension of air strikes, its war planes have again been in action in southern Lebanon, supporting ground troops involved in heavy fighting with Hezbollah militants.
Israel says it reserves the right to take action against targets if it believes its troops or civilians are under threat.
In other developments:
* New York-based group Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing war crimes by carrying out an indiscriminate bombing campaign in Lebanon
* Thousands of protesters in the Syrian capital Damascus have joined a demonstration against Israel's military offensive, with many of them declaring their support for Hezbollah
* Lebanon is observing a national day of mourning following the deaths in Qana, with many banks and public buildings closed
Mr Peretz described the temporary cessation of air strikes, which Israel says is to allow an investigation into the incident and give civilians trapped in the region a chance to escape, as a "humanitarian gesture".
Mr Peretz was interrupted by Arab members of the Israeli parliament many times as he addressed the special Knesset session.
UN resolution plan
The defence minister's comments came after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US would seek a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire this week.
Speaking after talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, Ms Rice said the US would call for UN Security Council action on a comprehensive settlement.
As I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and a lasting settlement
Condoleezza Rice
She said it would comprise three parts: a ceasefire, the political principles that provide for a long-term settlement and the authorisation of an international force to support the Lebanese army in keeping the peace.
"As I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and a lasting settlement," Ms Rice said.
"I am convinced we can achieve both this week," she added.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a trip to the US, said he was optimistic of the chances of an end to hostilities.
While calling for "maximum pressure" to get the Security Council resolution passed, he also called for "maximum restraint" in the region and welcomed Israel's 48-hour ceasefire in the south to allow the deaths at Qana to be investigated.
Ground battle
Meanwhile, fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli ground troops has been continuing in southern Lebanon.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Surely the lives of the innocent should take precedence
Nikki, Warwickshire
The BBC's Richard Miron in the Israeli border town of Metulla says the Israeli military has been shelling targets in the Lebanese villages of Kila, Taibe and Adasya.
For their part Hezbollah militants have been firing rockets into Metulla.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate after the Qana air strike.
Lebanon's health minister says about 750 people - mainly civilians - have been killed by Israeli action.
A total of 51 Israelis, including at least 18 civilians, have been killed in the conflict.
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