10.0pt"> Israel has held off on major operations in the Gaza Strip for several reasons;
-The Palestinians have had several weeks to prepare defenses (booby traps, mines, fortifications, arming and training fighters.)
-Israeli newspapers have leaked information about the planned military operation.
-The Gaza Strip is more densely populated and it will be more difficult to avoid civilian casualties. This is critical, because the most powerful Palestinian weapon is the foreign media crews and the journalists desire to get pictures of "Israeli atrocities."