Following this week’s escalation of attacks from Gaza into southern Israel, the cabinet convened, and it decided to continue exercising restraint. The emergency meeting was prompted by a rocket slamming into a children’s bedroom in a Beersheva home. B’chasdei Hashem there were no fatalities, and only light injuries. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu also visited the IDF Gaza Division Headquarters, where he issued a statement, yet another stern warning to Hamas. The air force also retaliated, striking 20 Hamas military installations.

Despite calls to deliver a “heavy blow” to Hamas from Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the cabinet decided the government was not going to launch a major military action, despite the growing support amid assessments from senior military commanders, that such an operation is inevitable.

The IDF Spokesman’s Office announced all restrictions that were placed into effect during the tense hours following the escalation have been lifted. That means schools and daycare centers that were closed are permitted to reopen. As such, life returns to normal for Gaza residents, albeit a tense norm that is accompanied by the realization, that at any moment, the Red Alert may sound, and they will once again be compelled to literally run for their lives, seeking shelter from a rocket attack.

In some Gaza border communities, residents have 15 seconds or less to reach a shelter before rockets impact!

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)