Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday denied a report that the Israeli defence establishment would recommend a 48-hour truce with Hamas.
"The report is not true. Our plan is to continue the Gaza operation," an IDF Spokeswoman told Xinhua.
Earlier on Tuesday, local daily Ha'aretz reported on its website that the Israeli defence establishment said it would recommend Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to embark on a 48-hour truce with Hamas, before it becomes necessary to begin a significant ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.
The goal of the temporary calm would be to see if Hamas can abide by the truce and cease firing rockets at Israel, said the report.