Jerusalem: Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has vowed that fighters in the Gaza Strip would never surrender in their battle against Israeli troops.

"Our people have never raised the white flag, we will never raise it ... in front of the extremist Zionist aggression," Arafat said yesterday (Oct 4, 2004) in his first address to Palestinians since Israel launched its incursion into northern Gaza last week.

The speech, through a local Radio station, was heard by hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza's streets.

"Our people in northern Gaza are defending strongly and victory is coming, victory is coming, whatever we suffer," Arafat added.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has condemned 'international apathy' to the Palestinian sufferings in the wake of Israel's offensive in the northern Gaza Strip.

Addressing a meeting of the Palestinian Cabinet in the West Bank town of Ramallah yesterday, Qurei criticised the "massive destruction" unleashed by Israel and called for heavy international pressure on the Jewish State.

"This ugly Israeli crime is taking place in full view of the world, and so far, we have not heard a strong word from the world community that can bring an end to this aggression," he said.