HIGHLIGHTS: Mass Troop Movements Towards Gaza||Resistance Men Patrol Streets||Negotiations Have Led Palestinians Nowhere, Says Resistance Leaders||STORY: In the Gaza Strip, there is a growing sense of unease that Israel might respond to the latest Palestinian attacks by launching a military campaign against targets in Gaza. Soon after news of the second bombing in 12 hours - this time in Haifa - Israeli F-16 fighter jets flew low over Gaza City.

People stopped in the street and discussed whether the return of the bombers after a month-long hiatus could prompt Israel to attack Gaza from the air, or launch an invasion.

Reports coming in speak of mass troop movements towards Gaza

RESISTANCE PATROL THE STREETS

Schoolteachers, office workers and police officers are lining up to take on a part-time role as gunmen patrolling the streets in case of an Israeli invasion of Gaza.

The tension has been heightened by hints from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that he cannot rule out a similar operation in Gaza to the one carried out by his forces in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Resistance group Hamas retains its popularity on the streets of Gaza.

A local commander of the military wing, Izzedine Qassam, this week told the BBC that there was a consensus among all the Palestinian factions, including Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, that armed resistance must continue because the way of negotiation has led the Palestinians nowhere.

PHOTO CAPTION

The West Bank offensive appears to be winding down, but the war is not over. Gaza's militia groups remain virtually intact, 84 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The Palestinian Resistance Hamas group in Gaza claimed responsibility for Tuesday night's bombing at a pool hall outside Tel Aviv. Officials on both sides believe a new front is inevitable, probably soon. They say if that occurs, the explosion in Gaza -- home to 1.2 million Palestinians -- could be worse than in the West Bank.