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Fri 07 Jul 2006Israel does not rule out large ground offensiveMIDDLE EAST: Israeli defence minister Amir Peretz did not rule out the possibility yesterday that Israel would launch a ground offensive in Lebanon, just hours before at least six more Israeli soldiers were killed in fierce close-quarter battles with Hizbullah fighters just inside Lebanon."We have no intention of occupying Lebanon, but we also have no intention of retreating from any military measures," Mr Peretz said during a tour of northern Israel, which has absorbed hundreds of rockets fired by Hizbullah militants since fighting erupted nine days ago.