Hey - does anybody have a clock running on when Hamas officially acknowledges that the ceasefire is over? I only ask because the three people who just got injured at the Sderot mall on Wednesday would probably like to know:

Three people were wounded Wednesday during a tough day in southern Israel that saw more than 20 rockets fired at Negev communities. Addressing the rocket strikes Wednesday evening, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that the IDF will embark on a Gaza operation once the situation requires such move. "'We are not deterred by a broad operation in Gaza, but we do not wish to rush into such operation," he said. "We will act when the time is right; we will decide what the right time and place are."

Wednesday was a pretty productive day from morning till night for Palestinian soldiers, with 20+ attacks by nightfall. The IAF responded overnight by targeting Palestinian weapons factories. Then the Palestinians retaliated by targeting more Israeli civilians. It's a cycle of violence!

As the ceasefire winds down it's worth remembering why Israel's not already in Gaza. Of course Israel is deterred from a broad operation. But the problem isn't military. An invasion will be rougher than the "fierce but unorganized," human shield deploying army that Hamas fielded last May. But it won't be beyond the IDF's capabilities. And while Hamas has enough rockets stockpiled to launch sustained Lebanon II-style barrages, Israel weathered Hezbollah's barrages for a month and a Gaza invasion won't last a month.

The problem isn't diplomatic either, although that's a major consideration right now:

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, supported by the defense establishment, believes that if escalation does occur, the international community must see Hamas as bearing the blame. The Quartet has been putting considerable pressure on Israel to ease the economic blockade of Gaza. If it is made clear that the Palestinians are to blame for renewed violence, Israel will be relieved from some of the burden.

That's not true and Israel won't be relieved from any of the blame, but it's a nice thought. But eventually that false hope - combined with Hamas attacks - will be enough to momentarily overcome diplomatic concerns.

The real problem is what to do the morning after. You're the IDF. You've spent a month losing Israeli soldiers in operations calibrated to minimize the risk to Palestinian civilians. You've nonetheless suffered a din of international scrutiny. But you're in control of Gaza. Now what?

Of course, those questions will become academic as the rockets, missiles, and mortars begin to climb to 100 per day.

References:
* Sderot under fire: 3 hurt in rocket strike [YNet]
* Terrorists fire two Kassam rockets at area south of Ashkelon; no wounded [JPost]
* Palestinian terrorists fire Kassam at western Negev; no wounded [JPost]
* IAF strikes targets in Gaza in response to Qassam fire [Ha'aretz]
* Five more rockets strike Negev, as IAF renews attacks on Gaza [Ha'aretz]
* IDF officers: We faced fierce but unorganized resistance in Gaza [Ha'aretz]
* ANALYSIS / Hamas seems to want a cease-fire - but with Qassams [Ha'aretz]

Previously:
* Another Day Another Palestinian Rocket Barrage. New Rockets Bring Hundreds Of Thousands Of Israelis Within Range.
* Hamas Mocks Shalit During Gigantic Rally: "I Miss My Mom And Dad"
* Hamas: As A Reminder, We're Not Renewing The Ceasefire We've Been Breaking On A Daily Basis