'Gov't will continue to pressure Hamas'

        The government will continue to put pressure on Hamas until ongoing rocket barrages on southern Israel are halted, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Friday. Olmert called the attacks a "fundamental violation" of a five-month cease-fire with Hamas. He said Israel will continue to step up pressure on Hamas by keeping border crossings closed and through other unspecified means. Olmert held an emergency meeting with senior officials from the defense echelon including Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. -Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi in Tel Aviv. The emergency meeting came in response to a barrage of 16 rockets and a mortar shell that was fired by Palestinians on Friday alone. Five of the rockets used were Grad-type Katyushas. Barak, who had earlier visited Sderot, said that the defense establishment would continue to act and protect southerners and IDF troops. He went on to say, however, that "if the Gaza factions want to resume the truce, we will consider it in a positive light." Earlier Friday, senior Jerusalem officials said that if Hamas stops firing rockets now, the truce could be reestablished. However, they warned that if the attacks continue, Israel's response would be "harsh and painful." (23,41)