The Security Cabinet announced shortly after 1:00 p.m. Wednesday that it will try to reach a period of "calm", or a tahadiyeh, as it is called in Arabic, with Gaza terrorists.
However, the cabinet restated conditions for the ceasefire agreement that the Hamas terrorist organization which controls the region has said it will not accept, placing the diplomatic dilemma back in the lap of Egyptian mediators.
Among the conditions set forth by the cabinet were a halt to all terrorist attacks, an end to attempts to kidnap soldiers, a halt to smuggling of weapons to Gaza and the return of kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
The cabinet did not state how long it would wait for the terrorists to sign on to the agreement before considering other options. Also under consideration was a massive counterterrorism operation aimed at stopping the incessant rocket and mortar attacks.
Concerns have risen as the barrages have become more precise in recent months, particularly with the growing use of Iranian-made medium-range Katyusha Grad missiles.
A mortar attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, the second in less than a week, was answered within the hour by an IAF air strike which killed at least one terrorist in the cell which launched the attack.
Shelling by Gaza terrorists also forced authorities to close the Sufa Crossing, through which humanitarian supplies are shipped to residents of the region from Israel several times a week.