Webcast News Service, 1 January 2009

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Israel is working toward a peace treaty while it is attacking targets of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Livni spoke to reporters after holding talks Thursday in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

She said the military offensive is aimed at stopping Palestinian rocket attacks and giving Israelis the opportunity to live in quiet.

Earlier this week, Israel rejected a 48-hour truce proposed by France.

Meanwhile, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said the European Union must take the initiative to seek a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, noting the United States cannot be counted on at this time. He made his remarks as the Czech Republic took over the EU's rotating presidency today.

Topolanek said he is organizing a diplomatic mission to the Middle East that will look for a solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Czech news agency said the mission will include EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, the bloc's external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and the foreign ministers from the Czech Republic, France and Sweden.

The mission will consist of stops in Israel, the West Bank, Egypt and Jordan, and is expected to coincide with a trip by Mr. Sarkozy Monday to Israel and the West Bank. The French president is pushing hard for an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip.

In the Vatican today, Pope Benedict called for an end to the violence in Gaza. He also said he hopes Israelis and Palestinians have the opportunity to live in peace.