Defense officials: Hamas planning large-scale attack against soldiers

Hamas is planning to perpetrate a large-scale attack against IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip, senior defense officials warned Monday. According to intelligence assessments, Hamas's armed wing was planning to attack an IDF post or capture a soldier in order to shift the balance in negotiations over captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, the army said. Following the warning, forces stationed in the Gaza area increased their preparedness.