Israeli offensive called premeditated plan

Israel's air force has struck more than 30 targets in Gaza - including the Palestinian Interior Ministry - in response to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants on Sunday.

Haniyeh said the military offensive was not only about rescuing the soldier, but also crippling Hamas, which has refused to renounce violence since being swept to power in January parliamentary elections.

"This total war is proof of a premeditated plan," he said.

Haniyeh also urged followers at a mosque in Gaza City to remain steadfast despite Israel's arrest of 64 Hamas officials in the West Bank on Thursday. Though Haniyeh did not directly address Israel's demand that Palestinian militants hand over the soldier, he implied that the government would not trade him for the arrested officials.

"When they kidnaped the ministers they meant to hijack the government's position, but we say no positions will be hijacked, no governments will fall," he said.

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