Leaders of local and regional councils representing Gaza border communities are calling on the government to order a widespread military operation in Gaza to bring and end to Hamas rocket fire once and for all, and to restore the nation’s deterrence. B’chasdei Hashem, the night passed quietly and erev Shabbos morning, the IDF announced a resumption of ‘life as usual’ in many areas, seemingly observing the unilaterally declared ceasefire by Hamas.

Among the outspoken critics is Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, whose city has been hit hard with rocket fire over the past 48 hours. Davidi expressed an understanding for the desire to negotiate, but he calls it a “mistake” as this stage, explaining Israel has been at “intermittent war” with Hamas for too many years, and the terror organization only continues to strengthen its military capabilities, and the situation demands a major military operation.

While some area leaders disagree, most are of the opinion the time has come to enter Gaza and bring Hamas to its knees. Many former senior IDF commanders, in interviews in the media over recent days, pointed out that while the air force has carried out so many sorties, targeting close to 200 terror targets in Gaza, these efforts are directed at empty buildings, and the time has come to target the Hamas’ leadership.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)