Gaza on war footing as Israel declares it "enemy"

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Masked gunmen crouch behind piles of sand, fingers on the triggers of their rifles, while others rig explosives along the streets of Gaza.

The Hamas-run Gaza Strip is bracing for a major incursion by Israeli forces after the Jewish state labeled the territory an "enemy entity" on Wednesday, a move the Islamist group described as a declaration of war.

Wearing brightly colored headbands, hundreds of militants have taken up positions along the border fence with Israel and in Gaza city whilst ordinary people shovel sand into bags to use as barriers to block any invading troops.

"The preparations by militants gave us the feeling the Israelis are about to invade any minute," said taxi driver Khaled Ali, as militants flagged him down at a checkpoint. "God forbid, if Israel invaded there would be a massacre."

Israel said on Wednesday it would reduce its fuel and power supplies to Gaza and would continue military activity and "targeted killings" in the territory after a rocket fired by militants hurt some three dozen Israeli soldiers last week.

Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in June after fighting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction, said the move was tantamount to declaring war.

"We will not surrender and we will fight together with all our people," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said.

"WE WILL FACE THEM WITH DEATH"