Gaza prepares to defend itself

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: Residents of the Gaza Strip stockpiled food and began armed street vigils on Tuesday to pre-are for an extension of Israel's West Bank offensive.

Grocery store shelves were emptied, bakeries ran low on flour and streets were taken over by persons keeping watch for any unwanted visitors.

Israel launched a military sweep of West Bank towns and cities on March 29.

"I would say the (Israeli) army operated in the West Bank because it represented an immediate danger for Israel," Israeli political analyst Gerald Steinberg told Reuters.

"Gaza can be easily sealed off. It is possible that Gaza has been on the agenda but it has not been a pressing priority."

Steinberg said most Palestinian suicide bombers who had killed scores of Israelis entered Israel from the West Bank.

Palestinian political analyst Ali al-Jarbawi said he believed Israel had no future ambitions in the Gaza Strip, despite the presence of some Jewish settlements which he said Israel might well be ready to give up in any final settlement.

The Gaza Strip, home to more than one million Palestinians though just 360 square km (140 square miles) in size, has become a virtual prison for its inhabitants.