Rumours of another Israeli attack spread fear in Gaza

Gaza: Israel has stepped up threats against Gaza in the past few weeks, only a year after it led a devastating offensive on the tiny overpopulated enclave.

While Israel is currently satisfied with the status quo, keeping Gaza's borders closed and having no relationship with Hamas, rumours of a second offensive have been running rapidly throughout the region.

Some rumours have it that Israel will strike for a period of one week focusing on Hamas leaders. Israel army radio reported that it aims to capture the Salah Al Din Gate, between Rafah and Gaza, while still others believe that Israel is focused on a total invasion.

Last week military jets constantly soared over Gaza breaking the sound barrier and scaring the population. A few targets on the border areas of Gaza were hit, killing six Palestinians.

Resistance

Abu Ahmad, the senior leader of the Islamic Jihad, said that his group could not remain silent against the Israeli blockade and military strikes, even though they agreed last year to halt attacks so that the Gazan population could recover from the war.

"We have not stopped training our fighters nor stopped preparing ourselves for the next round of fighting, especially in light of the recent Israeli threats against us. The resistance learned a lot from the tactics used by the Israelis last year and we will be more prepared next time," he said.

Israel says that Hamas and other resistance groups have rockets that can reach 60 kilometres from Gaza's border, which could reach into the middle of the Jewish state.

"As long as the government of Hamas can prevent rockets from being launched, the situation will be calm," Naji Shurab, a political analyst, told Gulf News. "Israel is not ready to face another global public opinion crisis after last year's war," he added.

People in Gaza cannot help but to be worried as painful memories of last year's war have not been forgotten.

"We had to leave our house in Al Zaytoun area to take shelter at the UN school. I remember we were cold, hungry and frightened. I cannot relive these days nor can my children," Eman Al Hams, a mother of two, told Gulf News.