Israel intensified the operation in Gaza Strip on Wednesday, in an attempt to make Hamas blink first and seek a cease-fire. As part of that plan, the Israel Defense Forces doubled the number of targets attacked, focusing on the homes of Hamas' military wing leaders in Gaza, Khan Yunis and Rafah. The objective is clear -- to upset the balance in a way that would see the terrorists' own families pressure them, and to make them fear that they will lose all they hold dear. The IDF and Shin Bet security agency claim that this modus operandi is effective and deterring; but on the other hand, the scope of Hamas' operation proves that it is determined to fight and that it is following a specific plan of attack, which includes scaled rocket fire on a variety of targets aimed at including more and more cities in the cycle of violence. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem became part of that cycle on Tuesday, and Wednesday saw Zichron Yaakov and Dimona come under fire as well, with the attack targeting the latter clearly aimed at the Negev Nuclear Research Center. Israel was not surprised by the range demonstrated by Hamas fire. Military Intelligence has had indications that Hamas may possess rockets with ranges of 140 kilometers (90 miles) for several months, although it was unclear whether these were self-produced projectiles or rockets smuggled into Gaza Strip. That mystery was solved on Wednesday, when it was revealed that a small number of M-302 rockets -- the same as the ones seized by the Israeli Navy aboard the Klos-C in March -- were smuggled into the Strip. Still, the larger caches of long-range projectiles include the self-produced M-75 rockets, which have a range of 80 kilometers (50 miles), and are believed to number in the hundreds. This detail alone is enough to prove that Hamas has been preparing for a prolonged conflict, during which it would have the ability to fire a set amount of rockets at central Israel. There is no doubt that Hamas seeks to establish its own deterrence, as well as inflict actual harm with its fire. Iron Dome continued to demonstrate impressive performance Wednesday, intercepting over 90 percent of the incoming fire and allowing most areas in Israel to maintain their normal routine. The system also affords the IDF the leeway necessary to operate knowing there are no casualties on the homefront. In conjunction with targeting senior terror operatives' homes, command posts, tunnels and launchers, the IDF is also focusing tremendous efforts to prevent Hamas from noting any operational achievements. The IDF foiled another infiltration attempt by Hamas divers near Kibbutz Zikim on Wednesday evening, and defense officials believe that Hamas will continue to strive for a tactical achievement that could be leveraged into propaganda. Opinions in Israel as to Hamas' internal struggles in the Gaza Strip vary. There is no doubt that, after a long period in which Hamas lagged behind the other terror group, it has regained its lead, although it is unclear what this bodes for the Palestinian people once the fighting is over. It is doubtful that Hamas will be able to shake free of its strategic distress, and some in Israel see that as a good enough reason to take advantage of the situation and deal it a massive blow. As of Wednesday, is seems like that is not Israel's intention. The offensive waged against Hamas exceeds what is reflected in media reports, and the possibility of a ground incursion is more viable than ever, but the political and military decision-makers have no intention of being dragged into a dangerous and bloody adventure in the Gaza. The objective remains as it was at the beginning of Operation Protective Edge -- to reach a point where calm is restored to southern Israel, and to ensure that Hamas is deterred enough to avoid breaching the lull for a very long time. Right now, however, the end of this operation is nowhere in sight. Egypt -- the go-to mediator -- is preoccupied with internal problems and is only marginally invested in brokering a cease-fire. The fact that Hamas has set considerable demands, which include opening the Rafah crossing, having the Palestinian Authority transfer wages' funds, and the release of operatives who were pardoned as part of the Schalit deal and recently re-arrested as part of Operation Brother's Keeper, makes reaching a cease-fire deal nearly impossible at this time. The escalation, it seems, will continue for at least a few more days.
