Israel on Wednesday exhibited signs that it has put at least one of its feet on a path leading to the end of its contentious military operation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

An Israeli tank runs in the northern Gaza Strip Jan. 7, 2009. The Israeli army has said that it would hold fire in the Gaza Strip for three hours every day from Jan. 7 to allow local residents to prepare basic supplies. [Ben-Ari/Xinhua]

Israel's National Security Cabinet met on Wednesday morning for discussions on whether to expand the ongoing offensive or opt for a truce. Should the former be approved, Israel would possibly send tens of thousands of reserve soldiers into Gaza to bash the Islamist movement.

Following hours of debate, the ministers voted to continue the current operation, reported local news service Ynet. No word was given on whether the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would reinforce its presence in the Palestinian enclave, although it has reportedly been prepared for such an extensive deployment.

Two Israeli soldiers rest beside the tank in the Gaza Strip Jan. 6, 2009. The Israeli army has said that it would hold fire in the Gaza Strip for three hours every day from Jan. 7 to allow local residents to prepare basic supplies. [Tsafrir Abayov/Xinhua]

Meanwhile, the IDF said unless under attack, it would hold fire in the Gaza Strip for three hours every day starting Wednesday to allow local residents to receive basic supplies. The respite, from1 p.m.(1100 GMT) to 4 p.m.(1400 GMT), would be subject to daily security assessment, added the army.