Two soldiers wounded in Gaza fighting remain in critical condition and 5 serious.

50 of the wounded were taken to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. 15 are in Tel Hashomer hospital, 9 arriving on Tuesday. In Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, 1 soldier is listed in serious condition and 4 light.

Many family members and public officials can be seen in the hospitals, as well as citizens bringing gifts to cheer up the wounded.

While the international media is pushing Israel to accept a ceasefire, military officials explain that they are moving ahead to phase 3 of the operation, bringing tens of thousands of reservists into Gaza to support the standing army forces operating today, paratroopers, combat engineers, Golani, tanks and armored personnel, artillery, and others.

Senior government officials will be meeting today, Wednesday, to discuss the situation and decide if the army will receive the green light to forge ahead or if once again, Israel will permit herself to accept a ceasefire that will enable Hamas to ride out the storm and continue firing rockets at the homefront at will.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)