The IDF dropped leaflets in Gaza urging residents to take cover as a “new phase” of their operation will shortly begin.  That sounds as though the Israelis plan to escalate military activity in Gaza to dig out entrenched Hamas fighters in Gaza City, which they have all but encircled already.  Meanwhile, France and Egypt have proposed a new cease-fire agreement, but neither Hamas nor Israel has acknowledged it:

The Israeli air force dropped leaflets on the Gaza Strip Saturday warning residents that it plans to escalate its two-week-old offensive.

Military officials said the notices are meant as a “general warning.”

The notice said Israel is about to begin a “new phase in the war on terror.” It said it will “escalate” an operation that already has killed more than 800 Palestinians. …

The development came as the Palestinian Authority president urged both Israel and Hamas to agree to an Egypt-brokered truce. Mahmoud Abbas singled out the Jewish state, saying it would be responsible for a “waterfall of blood” if it didn’t accept the deal.

Either this new warning intends to pressure Hamas into quickly crying “Uncle!” and signing onto a cease fire, or Israel intends on showing the world that it learned a lesson about stopping too quickly from their action in Lebanon in 2006.  I’d bet the latter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the former.  They’ve done significant damage to Hamas in Gaza, and they’ve certainly increased Hamas’ unpopularity among other Gazans.  Given Hamas’ propensity to hide among civilians, the Israelis can’t annihilate them without taking out large numbers of civilians, and that simply won’t fly among Israelis.

However, if Hamas doesn’t buckle first, Israel looks prepared to continue its operations for as long as it wants.  The Israeli leadership does not appear at all concerned this time about international opinion, at least not as much as in Lebanon.  The unsatisfactory denouement of that conflict, combined with the betrayal of Israel by the UN and the UNIFIL force that refused to stand up to Hezbollah, undoubtedly burns bright in their minds as they decide how to proceed in Gaza.

Abbas is probably right about the “waterfall of blood”, but he can blame that squarely on Iran and its proxy army Hamas for provoking this fight.  Israel has no requirement to end its operation after being attacked by a belligerent who refuses to stop attacking.  Hamas has to sue for peace under those circumstances, and Israel has the right to dictate terms.