Barak: Gaza operations to continue

VIDEO - Defense Minister Ehud Barak stressed Monday that the military operations in the Gaza Strip were set to continue.

During a visit to the Tel Hashomer recruitment base, Barak stated that "whoever thinks that this is the end of the story and that there's already a truce is wrong… we haven't finished anything and the important trials are still ahead."

Video courtesy of Infolive.tv

The minister noted that the defense establishment's goal was to stop the rocket fire at Israel and the terror emanating from Gaza, while dramatically reducing weapon smuggling into the Strip.

A ceasefire can only be considered once these things materialize, he said.

Earlier Monday, a senior IDF official told Ynet that while the IDF's operations in the Gaza Strip have been limited to mostly defensive measures following orders from the political echelon, the military activity in the area continues.

Responding to recent reports about a truce between Israel and the armed Palestinian factions, the official explained that the army currently concentrates on eliminating Qassam launching cells that operate from within the Strip, while refraining from striking other terror targets in the area.

Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Monday that no comprehensive ceasefire had been reached with Israel.

Other Hamas officials said their leaders would talk to Egypt in the next day or two to continue the efforts to work out a deal.

Despite the formal denials on both sides regarding a truce, Israeli aircraft operations over Gaza – one of the army's main tools in the Strip - have dramatically reduced in recent days and strikes on terror targets have been suspended.

Ground operations have also been reduced, while routine operations along the Gaza border fence are set to carry on as usual and in accordance with security estimates.

"The situation is sensitive and fragile, and therefore there is no plan for a changed of policy," a defense official told Ynet.