Israeli Troops Massing On Border For Gaza Offensive

THE Middle East was on the brink of a nightmare escalation last night as Israel faced a possible war on three fronts - from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

- Chris Hughes

Stories of the gruesome Hamas massacres that triggered the worsening crisis were countered by fresh horror in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza where terrorists and civilians were being killed.

Even as Hezbollah threatened more strikes over the border from Lebanon into northern Israel, there were fresh fears Hamas fighters remain in the country ready to strike. And it is possible when Israeli troops launch a ground offensive into Gaza, Lebanon will also launch retaliatory strikes.

With twice as many rockets and missiles as Hamas, Hezbollah, which is directly supported by Iran, has guided weapons capable of hitting targets deep inside Israel.

But first Israel is trying to secure the breached Gaza border, with Hamas fighters still attempting and succeeding in getting through. Meanwhile, the US is set to send a second aircraft carrier to the tinderbox region where it could potentially confront Hezbollah.

The decision drew the ire of Vladimir Putin yesterday, with the Russian leader claiming the arrival of USS Dwight Eisenhower in addition to the USS Gerald R Ford would stoke tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

Both are massive warships and their escorts bristle with fighter jets, deadly weaponry, marines and special forces.

But this will offer little comfort to those struggling on the ground to withstand the unfolding war.

In the crowded Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, Palestinians struggled to find any safe area yesterday, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighbourhoods.