Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in an interview to army radio on Wednesday that a wide-scale operation in the Gaza Strip was near. "We know that in Sderot life is still far from being normal and extensive intelligence and operational activity is being carried out," he said.
"We are nearing an extensive operation in Gaza that for many reasons has not been carried out over the past few weeks. Such an operation is not simple, not in terms of forces, time frame or the operational challenges the fighters will be met with," Barak added. (Ynet)