By Yechiel Spira for YWN:

During a tour Wednesday of the IDF’s Gaza Division, accompanied by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and IDF Southern District Commander Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant, Defense Minister Ehud Barak cautioned against optimism as a result of the past days of relative calm.

On Tuesday, one rocket pounded Ashkelon, about one hour following a visit to the bomb-struck city from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The recent days represent the longest break from ongoing rocket attacks in weeks, if not months. Residents admittedly are a bit more relaxed, but they are also aware the current situation is unlikely a reflection of new welcome realities.

From Israel’s point of view, it does not appear the government will order a major IDF operation inside Hamas-controlled Gaza anytime soon, since mini concrete shelters are being deployed in the areas being targeted in ongoing attacks from Gaza. Analysts agree that this indicates residents of some southern areas will have to brace for the long haul, despite being under attack from Gaza for some 6 plus years.

Barak told reporters that reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are not true, adding “we aren’t in a state of calm”, stating military activities in the Palestine Authority controlled area must continue towards reaching the objective of halting attacks.

Barak insists that he and his ministerial colleagues have done everything possible in talks with the PA, which have not yielded tangible results, placing the blame for the failure on Mahmoud Abbas, aligned with Fatah, the PA’s leader in Judea and Samaria,.

In an interesting twist, Ismail Haniyah, who heads the Hamas regime in Gaza, announced on Wednesday that there would be no ceasefire with Israel until all IDF activities in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) are halted, making a bold step towards enlisting support of residents of areas under Abbas’ control. While Hamas support throughout PA areas in Judea and Samaria has increased, it is a far cry from the overwhelming support enjoyed by the terrorist organization in Gaza, where Haniyah rose to power in an election victory, defeating Fatah and other parties.

Israel also failed in its ‘divide and conquer’ efforts regarding the chasm between Abbas and Haniyah, when Abbas came out in strong condemnation of ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Abbas accused Israel of indiscriminately firing into Gaza, into civilian populations, killing women and children. Despite Ismail being Abbas’ political nemesis, there is increased Arab unity and a growing world Arab effort to enlist the international community’s condemnations of Israel’s IDF activities in Gaza.

Most analysts believe the recent days of relative quiet will be short-lived, and the rocket attacks will again be commonplace occurrences.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter on Wednesday ordered the demolition of the Jabel Mukaber home of the family of the terrorist responsible for Thursday’s heinous attack in Jerusalem’s Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, which claimed eight lives, leaving others wounded, some seriously.

After days of political, security and legal consultations, Dichter made his announcement, calling for the demolition of the Jerusalem home. Police are already rechecking the legality of the order, one that will undoubtedly compel left-wing civil rights activists turning to the Supreme Court in the hope of preventing the demolition.

Police moving in to destroy the home would be an impetus to renew rocket attacks and perhaps, rioting in the eastern capital as was seen last week when Arab teens tried lynching city inspectors who were driving on Salah a-Din Street, near the Jerusalem District Court. Fortunately, they extricated themselves relatively unharmed, spared from the blood-thirsty Jerusalem Arab mob.

By all accounts, the IDF has much work ahead in Gaza in the hope of creating new safer realities for residents of Sderot, Ashkelon and surrounding areas – a job that will not necessarily be accomplished in the immediate future.

(The author has been a member of the Israeli media for over a decade, primarily covering security related events.)