Palestinians inspect rubbles after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on January 6, 2009. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday rejected a European Union (EU) request for a 48-hour ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, vowing to push ahead the offensive in the Gaza Strip till security is restored to southern regions of Israel. [Xinhua]

A smoke column rises following an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on January 6, 2009. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday rejected a European Union (EU) request for a 48-hour ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, vowing to push ahead the offensive in the Gaza Strip till security is restored to southern regions of Israel. [Xinhua]