"While a ground war in densely populated Gaza is likely to increase the civilian toll there, the Israeli Army also faces new threats. Since seizing control of the territory a year and a half ago, Hamas has been able to smuggle in more and better weapons. Its more sophisticated arsenal has been on display in recent weeks, and even under heavy fire the group has shown its ability to keep hitting Israeli cities with long-range rockets. - from NYTimes.com, Israeli Troops Advance, Bisecting Gaza

From the same article, let's look at the comparative "threats" the Israeli army faces versus the population of Gaza:

"Israeli troops advanced into Gaza on Sunday under cover of heavy air, tank and artillery fire . . .", and "the military said the operation involved “large numbers” of forces including infantry, tanks, engineering and artillery corps."

Israel seems to be fairly well prepared: planes, tanks, artillery, and infantry. Not surprising as they have, thanks to good old Uncle Sam, one of the most modern and heavily armed militaries in the world. Remember, Israel is a member of the nuclear club, though a covertly, and one who has never signed the non-proliferation treaty.

But what "sophisticated arsenal" do these poor invading forces face from Hamas, who used the unholy methods of a democratic election to "seize control of the territory a year and a half ago"?

". . . Hamas was fighting back mostly with mortars and improvised explosive devices, or I.E.D.s."

This is and has been a deeply uneven conflict and the rest of the world seems to realize that. Every one except the the U.S. government ("the White House has . . . blocked approval of a United Nations Security Council statement on a cease-fire." [update]), and as we've seen here, the New York Times, whose facts contain enough truth to let through a glimpse of reality, but whose spin would make Fox News proud.