On two fronts, its antagonists have found a way to draw Israel back into the gyre.

Hamas fires eight rockets at Israel and threatens to draw Israel into Palestinian factional violence in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian movement also drew Israel onto Lebanese soil in response to guerrilla raids into Israel.

And Saddam Hussein failed to alienate Arab states from the coalition with his desperate efforts to draw Israel in.

The concern then was that Mr. Hussein's government would try to draw Israel into the conflict in an effort to split the American and Arab military coalition.

If Western support arrives, Hezbollah will attempt to draw Israel into the conflict.

It draws Israel into the debate, always a convenient tool for an Arab leader.

The coalition also could rupture if Iraq drew Israel into the fight.

He has used weapons of mass destruction in the past to oppress his own people and in seeking to draw Israel into a wider Middle East war.

Israel is also unlikely to play an important role in the confrontation, though Israeli officials believe Iraq would like to draw Israel in.