PM overrules Peretz's call for response to Qassams

Disagreements between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz over Israel's restraint in the face of Palestinian violations of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip developed into a confrontation during a Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday.

'We need to weigh our steps responsibly'

Minister Yitzhak Cohen said: "When it serves us we will attack and when it doesn't we won't."

"If the IDF's surveillance equipments identify a cell firing Qassam rockets, shouldn't they fire? This can cost lives," officials said.

Peretz said Israel showed restraint to ceasefire violations to give the Palestinian Authority a chance to control gunmen responsible for the firing and to boost moderate elements among the Palestinians.

Olmert responded saying Israeli should show restraint: "We need to weigh our steps responsibly," he said.

Later on Sunday Livni said during a meeting with with EU High Commissioner for Common Foreign and Security Policy Chief Javier Solana that while it is important to note that the ceasefire is being continuously breached it is equally important to be responsible and make the right decisions for the future.