Speaking to reporters on Monday, Minister of Homeland Security (Likud) Avi Dichter stated “something must be done to restore Israel’s deterrence” regarding the rocket attacks from Gaza. He hinted that an aerial operation would be insufficient, adding “we all know that until troops are on the ground there is no deterrence”, but he fell short of signaling any planned military operation that would bring the daily rocket fire to a halt.

During the early evening hours, sirens were sounding in Beersheva, Ofakim, Tifrach, Netivot and other areas. Baruch Hashem there was no reports of injuries or loss of life in those attacks.

Dichter also commented on some of the terms used by the media, such a “a light day of rocket fire”, rejecting such a concept, stating we mustn’t fall prey by describing these potentially fatal attacks in such a fashion and it must be realized that any rocket fire is unacceptable.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz is meeting with his chief of intelligence and the IDF’s southern district commander along with heads of various intelligence agencies, signaling perhaps something unusual is being prepared towards putting Hamas back in its place and halting the warfare. Defense Minister Ehud Barak released a number of statements during day signaling that something is in the works, something big enough that Hamas leaders will take heed immediately.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appears to be working to increase support among Israel’s allies, bringing foreign ambassadors stationed in Israel to southern Israel on Monday to show them firsthand what is taking place and the reality of life in southern Israel for one million residents in rocket fire range.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)