Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Knesset (Parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Thursday that the military operation in northern Gaza will continue as long as there are casualties on the Israeli side.

Israel defense officers attending the meeting said Operation Days of Penitence was achieving its goals and dozens of Palestinian militants of nine rocket-launching cells had been killed.

Due to the operation, militants launching Qassam rockets toward Israeli cities have been forced to retreat, said the officers, adding that the number of rockets launched has decreased significantly and the level of accuracy has been greatly diminished.

Israel's military operation code-named Days of Penitence in northern Gaza has entered the 16th day on Thursday. Some 129 Palestinians have been killed in the incursion so far.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2004)