The Israeli government will defend soldiers against any war-crimes charges they may face related to civilian deaths that occurred during Israel's three-week military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that special legal teams would be appointed for soldiers, who he promised would receive the full support of the Israeli government.
"The state of Israel will fully back those who acted on its behalf," Olmert said. "The soldiers and commanders who were sent on missions in Gaza must know that they are safe from various tribunals."
Olmert said that Israel's justice minister would work with a team of senior government officials to co-ordinate the legal defence of any soldier facing prosecution.
The announcement appears to be a reaction to international calls for an investigation into Israel's execution of its military operation, which resulted in at least 600 civilian deaths, according to Palestinian officials.
Israel launched air strikes against Hamas targets on Dec. 27 in an attempt to stop militants from firing rockets into southern Israel. A ground offensive began one week later.
The fighting killed 1,285 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, nearly half of them civilians.
Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were also killed.
Israel has been criticized for using white phosphorous as a smokescreen, and for shelling UN schools and administrative buildings, many of which were being used as shelters.
Palestinian and international human rights groups have indicated their intention to build a case against Israel for violating the laws of war, using disproportionate force and failing to protect civilians.
The groups also charge that Hamas used civilians as human shields.
Olmert said that Israel "did everything in order to avoid hitting civilians."
In another move, Israel's military censor aimed to protect the identities of battlefield officers by barring the publication of their names or pictures.
Hamas offers truce
During ceasefire negotiations in Cairo on Sunday, Hamas officials said they offered a year-long truce with Israel.
Hamas official Ayman Taha said the proposed truce would include the reopening of border crossings, which Israel closed after Hamas took over the territory in June 2007.
According to Taha, Israel in turn offered an 18-month truce that Hamas turned down, but he did not explain why.
The smuggling of money and weapons to Hamas militants via the tunnels that run underground between Gaza and Egypt is a key point for Israel in the ceasefire negotiations.
Israel, the United States and Egypt are attempting to work out a security arrangement to stop the flow of cash and munitions, which Israel considers necessary if it is to reopen Gaza border crossings.
Israel has also indicated that it will resume its military operation if militants once again begin firing rockets into Israel, and has also demanded the release of Sgt. Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier who has been in Hamas custody for two years.
The talks began after Hamas opened makeshift offices in the Gaza Strip Sunday.
While some Hamas leaders remained in hiding, others could be seen meeting at tables set up next to the rubble of their administrative offices, which Israeli forces destroyed in the air and ground assault.
Upon returning to work Sunday, Hamas announced that it would distribute US$52 million in aid to Palestinians.
The money is compensation for lost relatives and damaged homes, and will come from Hamas' coffers until international aid begins flowing into the territory, officials said.
Envoy arriving this week
International aid groups and the United Nations have called for the reopening of the borders in order to distribute relief to Gaza's 1.4 million residents.
Early estimates suggest that Israel's ground and air operations caused about US$2 billion in damage in Gaza.
While Gaza's borders largely remain closed, Israel has allowed more than 125 aid trucks to enter the territory per day since the fighting stopped on Jan. 17.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama's top envoy to the Middle East, George J. Mitchell, will arrive in Israel for talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials in the West Bank, Israeli officials said Saturday.
The discussions will focus on establishing an arms blockade on Hamas and improving conditions for civilians, as well as reviving peace negotiations.
With files from The Associated Press
