Ehud Olmert, Israel’s outgoing prime minister, suggested on Sunday that the Jewish state would not rush into a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip – resisting pressure for a concerted operation in response to increased rocket fire from the territory that is ruled by the Islamic group Hamas.

Speaking two days after Israel’s shaky six-month truce with Hamas ended, Mr Olmert referred to calls by government ministers and opposition parties for immediate action as “aggressive and bold statements”, and told his cabinet that “a responsible government is neither eager for battle, nor does it shy away from it”.