Against the backdrop of talks Wednesday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh, Defense Minister Ehud Barak maintained Sunday that IDF military operations in Gaza have created enough pressure on Hamas to force the terrorist group to consider ending its attacks on southern Israel. If it succeeds in convincing Israel to agree to a ceasefire, sources said Hamas would promise to hold back other Gaza terrorists groups, such as Islamic Jihad, from attacking Israel as well.

"Hamas is considering a ceasefire because IDF operations are so successful," Barak told reporters. Escalated air strikes and targeted attacks against Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist leaders and strongholds eliminated more than 20 operatives last week. The terrorist group has been putting out feelers for the past few days about the possibility of ending mortar and Kassam rocket attacks on western Negev communities in exchange for an IDF withdrawal from Gaza.