ceasefire, schmeasefire - it sounds like "business as usual" in the wild west. the arabs need to increase their rocket and mortar fire before the ceasefire goes into effect, so that there will be the appearance of a reduction, and also to clear their inventories. (qassams have a very limited shelf-life.) and the idf already has its hands tied, lest it be accused of sabotaging the ephemeral "truce" (which the arabs will break when it suits their purposes, probably after about 4-6 weeks of regrouping and rearming its fighters). and, of course, there's no possibility of shalit being released... until the next round of israeli concessions. israel should appoint a wily carpet-merchant to act as their representative in future negotiations!