Officials said U.S. pressure on Israel was the primary reason that the
military has been prevented from a major ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
They said Olmert and his ministers were concerned that any major Israeli
operation would anger Bush and harm relations with the incoming
administration of President-elect Barack Obama.
On Nov. 29, the Hamas regime escalated missile and mortar attacks on
Israel. In one salvo, eight Israeli soldiers were injured in a mortar strike
on a military base along the Gaza Strip.
"There's no doubt we're getting closer to a wide-scale operation in the
Gaza Strip, but it will be different from what took place in the past,"
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said. "But we must find the
right time for an operation."
In 2008, the military evacuated a military base north of the Gaza Strip
that had come under Hamas missile strike. Vilnai said the military base at
Nahal Oz would not be abandoned.
"We won't vacate every place," Vilnai said.
Officials said the government would be unable to maintain restraint amid
increasing Hamas strikes. They said the key would be whether Israeli
soldiers and civilians would be injured or killed by the missile and mortar
attacks.
"Both Olmert and [Israeli Defense Minister Ehud] Barak are concerned
that any Israeli military operation would spark a conflict that would
quickly spin out of control," the official said.
