Ehud Olmert

Israel has rejected demands from Palestinian militants holding an Israeli soldier. The militants say Israel must free one thousand prisoners and stop its assault on the Gaza Strip.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reiterated that there will be no deals. He said either the Israeli soldier will be released or Israel will act to bring about his release.

Earlier Saturday, the armed wing of the Hamas political party and two other groups, the Popular Resistance Committee and the Army of Islam, released a statement calling for an end to Israel's offensive in Gaza and the release of a thousand prisoners from Israeli jails.

Israel continued air strikes late Friday and early today in Gaza, hitting various buildings and training camps used by militants.

Palestinian officials say a Palestinian doctor had visited the captured Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, and treated his wounds.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.