Israeli helicopter gunships, tanks and ground troops tightened their grip today on a northern Gaza town, killing an elderly civilian, two militants and a police officer in Israel’s biggest push in months to stop Palestinian rocket fire.

Residents of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza dug through the rubble of their damaged homes, bridges and UN schools today, after Israeli troops pulled out following a two-day incursion aimed at stopping militants from firing rockets at Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his Cabinet today that Israel’s offensive in Gaza would end immediately if Palestinian militants were to release the Israeli soldier they captured.

Israeli aircraft blasted the office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas early today, the latest military move aimed at winning freedom for an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas militants in Gaza.