Security Forces Will Maintain A High State Of Alert As Hamas Truce Approaches End

Despite some 24 rockets hitting the western Negev Wednesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel would not rush into an operation in Gaza. "We are not deterred from an operation in Gaza but we are also not rushing into one," Barak said during a conference at the Institute for National Security Studies. "When there is no choice we will act when and where we see fit." In response, Prime Minister Olmert said," this demands a response and there will be one. "Defense officials said the escalation in rocket fire came after Hamas instructed Islamic Jihad to increase its attacks ahead of the end of the
cease-fire.12/18/08