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.

Israel today revoked the Jerusalem residency of four senior Hamas officials, including one Cabinet minister, in an unprecedented punishment that takes away their right to live in the holy city and travel freely in Israel.

Israeli forces entered deep into the Gaza Strip early today for the first time since Israel’s summer withdrawal from the coastal area.

MPs from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s new Kadima party held their first formal meeting today, sketching out broad policy goals including peaceful co-existence between Israel and a future Palestinian state, but stopping short of adopting a detailed party platform.