Olmert Rules Out Prisoner Swap with Hamas
AP  | 7/10/06

JERUSALEM, AP - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday ruled out a
prisoner swap with the Hamas militant group to win the release of a
captured Israeli soldier. He also said Israel's ground offensive in
the Gaza Strip is not aimed at toppling the Hamas-led Palestinian
government. "We have no particular desire to topple the Hamas
government as a policy. We have a desire to stop terrorists from
inflicting terror on the Israeli people," Olmert told foreign reporters.

Israel invaded Gaza nearly two weeks ago after militants linked to
the Palestinian government crossed the border and captured an Israeli
soldier. Hamas militants have also been firing rockets into southern
Israel. Both the militants holding the soldier and Palestinian
government leaders have called on Israel to release hundreds of
Palestinian prisoners. "Trading prisoners with a terrorist bloody
organization such as Hamas is a major mistake that will cause a lot
of damage to the future of the state of Israel," Olmert told foreign
reporters.

The Israeli invasion, arrests of Hamas Cabinet ministers and threats
to assassinate the group's top leaders have prompted accusations that
Israel is trying to topple the democratically elected government.