While this Shabbos Yad Hashem was evident in southern Israel, despite the loss of life and injuries, hysteria is spreading and the children are especially hard hit, trying to endure sirens that are coming increasingly frequent, and explosions that follow with their destruction and carnage.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated on Shabbos that “I do not wish to deceive anyone, this operation will not be short and it will not be easy.” The senior minister added that there is a time for ceasefire and a time to act, and now, the IDF is going to change realities in Gaza.

On Friday, the IDF opened Gaza crossings to humanitarian aid, including trucks carrying goods delivered by Mrs. Hosni Mubarak. In addition, soldiers were sent home for Shabbos on schedule, masking any signs that would signal an impending military operation. IDF officials are pleased, stating Hamas was indeed caught off guard and the initial strike of Operation Lead Cast was indeed successful, hitting strategic Hamas targets.

Soldiers were called back on Shabbos and plans are underway to activate reservists. A ground forces operation is indeed planned, and the preparations are underway at this time. The scope and extent of such an operation are not being released, and senior cabinet ministers are saying little regarding the entire operation, contributing to the surprise element.

At present, it appears the operation will take a number of weeks, and IDF officials point out it will not be easy, explaining Hamas is capable of launching 200 rockets daily, some longer-range, capable of striking deeper into southern Israel.

At 8:00pm, all is quiet along the Gaza border. The darkness works against the terrorists, but the IAF is capable of striking targets as it does during daylight hours, equipped with sophisticated night-vision and radar systems.

Southern residents remain in bomb shelters and safe rooms, aware the night will most likely not be a quiet one.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)