Israeli leaders decided to reject an immediate 48-hour pause in fighting and push ahead with the devastating air offensive against Hamas, sending jets and assault helicopters to pound targets in the Gaza Strip for a fifth day Wednesday.

Israel is facing growing international pressure to halt the assault and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed a cease-fire proposal — floated by France’s foreigno minister — with his foreign and defense ministers overnight. The meeting ended with a decision to continue operations, government officials said, and a top forum of Cabinet ministers entrusted with security matters will discuss the continued offensive Wednesday.

Israel has been massing troops and armor along the Gaza border in an indication the air campaign could morph into a ground operation if no cease-fire is reached. The government approved a plan to call up another 2,500 reserve soldiers late Tuesday, following a decision earlier this week to authorize a call-up of 6,700 soldiers. The call-up has yet to be carried out.

Gaza militants kept up their fire and continued to expand their range. Two missiles hit Wednesday in and around the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, 28 miles from Gaza, causing no casualties. The city was targeted for the first time on Tuesday when a missile slammed into an empty kindergarten. More than a tenth of Israel’s population is now in range of Hamas rockets and four Israelis have been killed since the offensive began Saturday.