Israel’s Security Cabinet decided after a marathon session Wednesday not to widen operations in Gaza. Threats continue, but the status quo will remain.

The session was preceded by tough statements from Vice-Premier Chaim Ramon (Kadima party) recommending the government cut electricity to Gaza following Kassam rocket attacks on the Sderot region. Despite that, the Security Cabinet reportedly did not discuss the proposal as a viable option, though decided to order further research on its feasibility.

Defense Minister Barak suggested at the meeting a continuation of small Special Forces operations and targeted air strikes. "The solution,” Barak said, after lamenting the lack of a missile defense system, “is offensive actions deep in the territory based on intelligence."

The Cabinet released a statement holding Hamas responsible for the rocket attacks on Sderot and environs, even those fired by Islamic Jihad terrorists. “This murderous terror organization purports to lead daily life in Gaza while life in the communities around Gaza is insufferable,” the statement said. “Therefore, the security establishment, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the relevant legal bodies, has been instructed to prepare a plan - taking all military and civil considerations into account - to disrupt the services that the State of Israel provides to the Gaza Strip in response to the continued criminal and indiscriminate attacks against the Israeli civilian population.”

A report from the Prime Minister’s Office on the meeting downplayed the plan, saying: “The cabinet has decided to continue intense military action against those involved in terror and the launching of rockets. None of those responsible for being partners to terror are immune to these actions.”

The PMO also said that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instructed the military establishment to draw up plans "to stop or at least diminish" the number of rocket attacks. Such statements have been made in the past.

Outrage From Sderot and Knesset

One Sderot resident was heard on Army Radio saying: “It is all talk. We know they are not going to shut off the electricity or go into Gaza because if they were willing to, why would they wait until now to do so?”

MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union) slammed the Security Cabinet. "The Cabinet's decision not to decide gives Hamas a green light to continue trying to murder Israeli citizens,” he told government radio.

MK Moshe Sharoni (Pensioners), a member of the government coalition, called the government’s decision “a policy of wimps.” He added that it was time to teach Gaza's residents "a lesson they will never forget."

"It's inconceivable that we will spend millions on fortification and they [in Gaza] will live the good life,” Sharoni said. “We must stop the flow of water and electricity to them.” He also suggested massive bombing of areas from which rockets were fired – after warning banners are flown overhead.

Barak, Following Outrage: Gaza Entrance Inevitable

Defense Minister Barak, seeking to quell the outrage from Sderot residents and others at the Security Cabinet’s non-decision, said Wednesday evening: "When we look at the challenge posed by the Kassams, it may very well be that we are approaching the need to reach a wide scale ground offensive in Gaza, to stop the Kassam fire and the power buildup there."

Barak was speaking at a New Year’s reception for Defense Ministry and military industry officials.

IDF Still Wary of Syria

According to unnamed IDF officials quoted in Haaretz, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi objects to launching a large-scale operation in Gaza due to continued concerns of a conflict with Syria.

This despite several articles quoting similarly unnamed officials who say tensions with Syria have subsided.

The sources opined that Ashkenazi’s position would change if there were a multi-casualty attack emanating from Gaza.

Mini-Operation Nets 11 Launchers

IDF Golani Brigade soldiers, backed by Armored and Engineer Corps ended a two-day operation in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun’s industrial area. Beit Hanoun is adjacent to Sderot and the source of much of the Kassam rocket fire.

Troops located 11 launchers Wednesday. IDF intelligence, however, believes that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of the rudimentary launchers spread around Hamas-controlled Gaza.