While there are media reports of an ‘impending ceasefire agreement’ based on the Cairo initiative, the IDF today, Wednesday, day 19 of Operation Cast Lead, continued pounding terrorist targets in Gaza and infantry forces continue operating, seeking out terrorists.

According to the IDF’s Civil Administration, based on a report filed by Channel 1 TV News correspondent Amir Bar-Shalom, the army has the names of 930 of the dead victims in Gaza, stating 150 are definitely civilians. Officials add that it appears 25% of the dead are civilians, which is far less than numbers being released by the Arab media.

As ceasefire reports continue to emerge, there was a Gilad Shalit solidarity rally in Tel Aviv during the afternoon, attended by thousands of youths from around the country. They demanded that Israel reject any and all ceasefire arrangements that do not include Gilad Shalit’s release.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)