Israel aircraft strike economic ministry in Gaza

GAZA, July 15 (Reuters) An Israeli air strike set the Palestinian Ministry of Economy building in the Gaza Strip ablaze early today, but there were no reports of casualties.

Witnesses said the building was badly damaged and still on fire after the strike.

The army confirmed the attack in Gaza City.

Israel, pressing an offensive in Gaza to free an abducted soldier and halt cross-border rocket fire, has already destroyed the offices of the prime minister, the foreign minister and the interior minister from the Hamas-led government.

Gunmen from Hamas were among factions that seized Corporal Gilad Shalit on June 25.

Israel has also launched a major offensive inside Lebanon after the Hizbollah guerrilla group captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others in a raid on Wednesday.

REUTERS SRS BD0445