Israel rebuffs calls for Gaza border observers

By Adam Entous

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel on Monday rebuffed European proposals for international observers in the Gaza Strip after any cease-fire, pushing instead for equipment and teams to help search out and destroy tunnels Hamas could use to rearm.

Israel's 10-day-old military offensive in the Gaza Strip has so far killed at least 541 Palestinians, and Israeli leaders made clear they were in no rush to pull back ground and air forces despite growing international pressure.

Israel's goal is to weaken Hamas by killing its fighters and destroying its rocket stockpile, officials said.

Israel has rejected any formal cease-fire that would bind its hands and provide the Islamist group a measure of legitimacy, but it is prepared to enter into arrangements with regional and international partners, like Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egypt and the European Union, to help oversee security along Gaza's border.

At a press conference with visiting EU leaders, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, a leading candidate to become Israel's next prime minister in a February 10 election, said she saw no reason for an observation and monitoring force in Gaza.

"I don't see how this can help," she told reporters.

Instead of observers monitoring any cease-fire, Israel wants an international mission on the Egyptian-Gaza border to focus on preventing Hamas from re-establishing a network of tunnels that could be used to smuggle in longer-range rockets and other weapons, Israeli officials involved in the deliberations said.

They told Reuters that talks were under way with EU, U.S., Egyptian and other regional leaders about such a force, though no final decisions have been made.