Israeli forces indicate they are planning ground offensive in Gaza
Yolande Knell
BBC Middle East correspondent
With this latest operation, Hamas seems keen to burnish its credentials once again as a militant organisation. Its charter remains committed to the destruction of Israel.
Speaking at the start of the offensive, the shadowy Hamas militant commander, Mohammed Deif called on Palestinians and other Arabs to join the action to “sweep away the [Israeli] occupation”.
A big question now is whether Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem or elsewhere in the region will heed his call.
Israel undoubtedly sees the potential for a war that could open up on multiple fronts.
A worst-case scenario is that it could draw in the powerful Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has ordered a massive reinforcement of troops. As well as its intense air raids on Gaza, it has indicated that it is planning a ground operation there.
The capture of Israeli soldiers and civilians, who Palestinian militants will hope to use as human shields or bargaining chips, is a serious complication.
This could become really nasty.