Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Wednesday that "we are getting closer to a large-scale counter-terrorist action" in the Gaza area in the wake of continuing Kassam rocket attacks. His comment came less than two days after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert insisted that a military offensive would not bring a total halt to the attacks, which have exploded thousands of rockets on the western Negev since the Oslo War broke out seven years ago. The rockets have killed several people and caused widespread damage.

Defense Minister Barak added that the offensive will not be simple nor will it last long.