FOLLOWING THE Hamas declaration that its six-month ceasefire was over, Israeli officials warned yesterday that a major military offensive in Gaza will be unavoidable if rocket fire into Israel continues.
Three rockets fired by Palestinian militants landed in southern Israel yesterday, bringing to more than 50 the number of rockets and mortars fired over the last three days.
Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, officially declared that the lull was over, following the announcement on Thursday by Hamas officials that the six-month ceasefire would not be renewed because of what were termed "Israeli violations".
At the same time, Hamas stopped short of declaring an immediate escalation.
The decision not to renew the ceasefire was taken following a series of consultations between Hamas and the smaller Palestinian groups in Gaza.
It was considered a victory for the hardliners in the Hamas leadership who had argued against extending the truce unless Israel lifted its blockade on the Strip.
Some Hamas leaders in Gaza argued the ceasefire should be extended so as not to give Israel an excuse to launch a widespread military operation.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Hamas had chosen "violence over truth and rocket-shooting over ceasefire".
Israeli security officials held consultations and decided that if Hamas and the other armed groups hold fire, Israel will also adopt a policy of restraint.
The army was ordered to refrain from carrying out offensive operations for now, in order to see how the situation develops.
But the level of alert was raised on the Gaza Strip border, and some military units had weekend leave cancelled.
Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer, a former defence minister, warned that the Israeli Defence Forces would use all of its power to end the crossborder rocket fire, declaring that there was a limit to what Israel would tolerate now that the truce was over.
Hamas leaders in Gaza were reported to have gone underground out of fear of being targeted by Israel.
Furthermore, the group also evacuated many of its institutions and security installations.
The surge in violence prompted the UN to stop distributing food to residents of the Gaza Strip.
Israel's decision to keep the border crossings closed because of the ongoing rocket fire meant flour supplies ran out.