Gaza: Two years after a bloody Israeli offensive on Gaza, the drums of war still bang louder than ever before, as analysts predict a major escalation could be expected in the near future.

Attacks have become a daily occurrence as the sounds of artillery explosions and air strikes have become part of the background noise to Palestinians living in Gaza.

December was particularly bloody as over 12 people were killed and 30 injured in Israeli attacks. "The last month witnessed a big increase in the number of martyrs and injured by the Israeli army, most being civilians," Adham Abu Salmiya, spokesman of the medical and emergency services in Gaza told Gulf News.

"The situation is so critical and sensitive since there are no possible signs of peace agreements at the moment, and the Israelis are treating the strip like a hostile territory," political analyst, Shaker Shabat told Gulf News.

Prepared to defend

Hamas keeps Israel on its toes with sporadic rocket attacks across the border, almost never causing destruction and deaths on the Israeli side. However, they remain adamant that while they respect a general truce with Israel, they are prepared to defend their land from Israeli attack and are ready for war at any time.

"We advise the Zionists not to mess with us and we are ready to face them, our facilities and men are fully prepared," Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas said.

The Israeli army radio claimed that the Palestinian resistance organisations have recovered from the hits they endured during the last offensive on Gaza in 2008-2009 and that the training of their military abilities and individuals has developed.

"Although the number of military attacks by the Israeli army has increased in the last couple of weeks, we believe that the Zionist army won't dare launch another war in the near future," Zuhri added.

Not much has changed after the last war on Gaza. The Gazans are still clearing the war's rubble as well as trying to get over the horrible memories they experienced during the war.

"The coastal region hasn't overcome the last offensive yet and Hamas doesn't want a new war. That doesn't mean there won't be minor military operations in the near future," Shabat said.

Recently, Hamas staged a big rally announcing that it is committed to a truce with Israel but is prepared if Israel provokes conflict.