Masked Palestinian militants hold their weapons during an Islamic Jihad rally in Bureij, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. Israeli defense officials say politicians have approved a large-scale incursion into the territory once the rain clears. But at the same time, Israel appeared open to international pressure against an invasion, prying open its border with Gaza on Friday to allow in deliveries of humanitarian aid. Ashraf Amra / apaimages