Israeli airstrike destroys interior ministry in Gaza

GAZA - An Israeli aircraft today fired a missile into the office of the Palestinian interior minister in the ministry's headquarters in Gaza, setting it ablaze, Palestinian witnesses and security sources said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has launched several air strikes in the territory in recent days as part of a larger offensive aimed at freeing a kidnapped soldier.

Meanwhile Egypt's al-Ahram newspaper reported Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak saying Hamas had given qualified approval for the release of the soldier.

But Mubarak, speaking in an interview, said agreement on a release had not yet been reached with Israel.

- REUTERS