GAZA, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Israeli war planes and combat helicopters pounded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Saturday.

Here are some of the key comments:

ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE STATEMENT:

"The IDF will continue its operations against terror in accordance with constant status assessments by the IDF Chief of General Staff. This operation will be continued, expanded and intensified as much as required."

ISRAELI DEFENCE MINISTER EHUD BARAK:

"We face a period that will be neither easy nor short, and will require determination and perseverance until the necessary change is achieved in the situation in the south."

ISLAMIC JIHAD:

"All fighters are ordered to respond to the Israeli slaughter."

HAMAS ARMED WING SPOKESMAN ABU UBAIDA:

The group will "teach the enemy a lesson they will never forget".

NABIL ABU RDAINAH, AIDE TO PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS:

"President Abbas demands that the Israeli government stop this aggression immediately to spare our people its painful effects, and calls on the international community to intervene to stop the aggression."

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN GORDON JOHNDROE:

"Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people.

"The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza."

SPOKESMAN FOR EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JAVIER SOLANA

"We are very concerned at the events in Gaza. We call for an immediate ceasefire and urge everybody to exert maximum restraint."

ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY-GENERAL AMR MOUSSA:

"We are facing a continuing spectacle which has been carefully planned. So we have to expect that there will be many casualties. We face a major humanitarian catastrophe".

EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK, QUOTED BY MENA:

"Egypt condemns the Israeli military attacks."

"Egypt will continue its contacts to prepare an atmosphere conducive to restoring the period of calm and achieving reconciliation between the Palestinian groups."

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN HASAN QASHQAVI QUOTED BY STATE TELEVISION:

"Iran strongly condemns the Zionist regime's (Israel) wide-ranging attacks against the civilians in Gaza."

"The raids agains innocent people are unforgiveable and unacceptable."

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT:

"Moscow deems it necessary to stop large scale military action against Gaza, which had already led to big casualties and suffering among civilian Palestinian population. At the same time we call on Hamas leadership to stop shelling Israeli territory."

FRENCH PRESIDENCY STATEMENT:

"He (French President Nicolas Sarkozy) demands an immediate stop to the firing of rockets on Israel and to the Israeli bombings in Gaza and calls for all parties to use restraint."

BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE STATEMENT:

"The only way to achieve lasting peace in Gaza is through peaceful means. Whilst we understand the Israeli government's obligation to protect its population we urge maximum restraint to avoid further civilian casualties"

"We also call on miltants in the Gaza Strip to immediately cease all rocket attacks on Israel."

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